Sauce Gardner made an immediate impact on the Jets defense as soon as the team took him with the No. 4 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft and now his play has paid off.
New York and Gardner have agreed to a long-term extension, Gardner tweeted on Wednesday.
Per multiple reports, the deal is worth $120.4 million over four years, with $85.6 million guaranteed. He is now under contract through 2030.
"THE DEAL IS DONE," Gardner wrote. "This only the beginning, my brother @allantegardner bts & @ajv got it done. I appreciate the Jets organization for believing in me, my teammates for the blood, sweat, & tears we put in, and JETS NATION… I appreciate y'all supporting me. Thank you GOD."
The deal makes Gardner the highest paid cornerback in NFL history, passing the Houston Texans Derek Stingley Jr.'s $90 million contract worth $30 million per season.
Gardner was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2022 and earned first-team AP All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors in 2022 and 2023. He led the league with 20 passes defended as a rookie to go along with two interceptions and 75 combined tackles. The corner followed that up with a strong second season in 2023, but had a more quiet third season.
Now under a new, defensive minded head coach in Aaron Glenn, Gardner will anchor the attacking defense for years to come.
Overall, Gardner has three interceptions, 40 passes defended, and 181 combined tackles (128 solo) over 48 games across three seasons. He's forced one fumble, recorded one sack, and has two QB hits. Gardner also owns a 91.9 PFF coverage grade since 2022 to lead the NFL, and has forced a league-high 46 incompletions during that span.
After the Jets gave star WR Garrett Wilson a massive four-year contract extension, it was expected that new GM Darren Mougey would keep it rolling and ink Gardner.
With both stars signed to contract extensions, New York will look to continue making strides in the right direction and hope to make the playoffs for the first time since 2010.
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