The New York Jets are keeping their young core together. A day after signing wideout Garrett Wilson to an extension, the team reportedly agreed to terms on a historic contract extension with cornerback Sauce Gardner, according to multiple reports.
Gardner is reportedly signing a four-year, $120.4 million deal that makes him the highest-paid cornerback of all time, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
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Gardner confirmed the deal, calling it “only the beginning.”
Gardner, 24, has emerged as one of the best defensive backs in the NFL since the Jets selected him No. 4 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. He won the Defensive Rookie of the Year award that season, and is a two-time All-Pro and two-time Pro Bowler over his first three seasons in the league.
Gardner is coming off a down year — by his standards, at least — in which he registered 49 combined tackles, nine pass breakups and an interception. He battled hamstring injuries during the season, missing two games. Those issues didn’t stop the Jets from offering Gardner a massive contract extension.
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The deal takes care of one of the team’s biggest questions entering the offseason. With Gardner and Wilson both eligible for new mega-deals, there were questions over how quickly the team would move to secure both stars.
The Jets got it done quickly, reportedly signing Wilson to a four-year, $130 million extension Tuesday. A day later, they got a deal done with Gardner, guaranteeing both players will play a significant role in the team’s future.
New York is looking to bounce back after falling to 5-12 last season. The team has already made big moves to ensure that doesn’t happen again. In addition to inking both Gardner and Wilson, the team signed quarterback Justin Fields to a two-year, $40 million contract.
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That trio should provide plenty of explosive plays as the Jets fight for their first playoff appearance since the 2010 NFL season.
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