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Jets Secure Sauce Gardner in $120M Extension \ TezzBuzz \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ The New York Jets have signed star cornerback Sauce Gardner to a record-setting $120.4 million extension. The four-year deal makes him the NFL’s highest-paid cornerback at $30.1 million annually. Gardner joins wide receiver Garrett Wilson as a key part of the Jets’ long-term rebuild.

Quick Looks

• Record-Setting Contract: Four-year, $120.4 million extension through 2030.
• Annual Average: $30.1 million, highest for an NFL cornerback.
• Announced by Gardner: He shared “THE DEAL IS DONE” on social media.
• Team-Building Strategy: Comes a day after the Jets extended WR Garrett Wilson.
• Jets’ Vision: Locking in young stars to revamp a franchise in a long playoff drought.
• Gardner’s Performance: Two-time All-Pro, 2022 Defensive Rookie of the Year.
• Jets Leadership: New GM Darren Mougey and HC Aaron Glenn aim to lead resurgence.
• No Holdout: Gardner attended minicamp, showing team-first mentality.

Deep Look

In a move that reshapes the financial landscape of NFL defensive contracts, the New York Jets have signed All-Pro cornerback Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner to a massive four-year, $120.4 million contract extension, securing the superstar through the 2030 season. The extension makes Gardner the highest-paid cornerback in NFL historywith an average annual salary of $30.1 million — a new benchmark for the position. The news was first reported by a person familiar with the negotiations and later confirmed by Gardner himself on social media.

“THE DEAL IS DONE,” Gardner tweeted, marking a significant milestone in both his career and the franchise’s future. He went on to express gratitude toward his agents and the Jets organization, while sending love to his teammates for their mutual dedication and resilience. “This only the beginning. I appreciate the Jets organization for believing in me, my teammates for the blood, sweat (and) tears we put in,” he wrote in a heartfelt post.

The announcement arrives just one day after the Jets finalized a $130 million extension with top wide receiver Garrett Wilson. By locking in both young talents in the same week, the Jets are making a powerful statement: they are committed to building a sustainable, elite core with homegrown stars at both ends of the field. Gardner and Wilson were both first-round picks in the 2022 NFL Draft and have quickly developed into foundational pieces of the franchise’s rebuild.

From Rookie Phenom to Franchise Cornerstone

Gardner, the fourth overall pick in 2022 out of the University of Cincinnati, made an immediate impact as a rookie. He earned AP Defensive Rookie of the Year honors and was named a first-team All-Pro in each of his first two seasons — a rare feat in today’s NFL. Known for his elite coverage skills, football IQ, and swagger on the field, Gardner has helped redefine the Jets’ defense, which was among the league’s best in multiple statistical categories in 2023.

Despite his early accolades, Gardner came into the 2024 offseason with something to prove. By his own high standards, his most recent campaign was not up to par. But instead of holding out for a new contract — a common practice among players seeking massive paydays — Gardner reported to mandatory minicamp, choosing to demonstrate his commitment and leadership.

“Man, I just wanted to show my teammates, show the coaches how much I’m bought into this,” Gardner told reporters. “I want to win. I want to change the organization. I want to be a part of changing the organization.” That level of maturity and focus, coupled with his on-field excellence, clearly resonated with the Jets’ leadership, paving the way for this historic extension.

Culture Shift Underway in New York

The contract also reflects the strategic shift underway under new general manager Darren Mougey and recently hired head coach Aaron Glenn — himself a former three-time Pro Bowl cornerback. Glenn’s background as a defensive back gives him a unique understanding of Gardner’s value, both as a lockdown defender and as a tone-setter for the locker room. This alignment between front office and coaching staff has already begun paying dividends, as evidenced by the back-to-back extensions for Gardner and Wilson.

The timing of Gardner’s deal is also worth noting within a broader context: the Jets have the longest active playoff drought in the NFL, dating back to the 2010 AFC Championship Game. For nearly 15 years, the franchise has cycled through coaching staffs, quarterbacks, and management regimes, often without cohesive long-term planning. By investing in cornerstone players like Gardner and Wilson, the Jets appear to be reversing that trend.

Bigger Than the Numbers

While the financial terms of Gardner’s extension are record-setting, the significance goes beyond dollars and cap space. Gardner’s rise from underdog to superstar mirrors the kind of story that teams want to build around — a young, driven leader who is still hungry for more. In his own words, Gardner has always considered himself an underdog, despite his accolades and top draft status.

“I always felt like an underdog,” he said earlier this year. “That’s the mindset I carry. Nothing is ever given — it’s earned.” That chip-on-the-shoulder mentality has made Gardner a fan favorite in New York and a respected figure across the league.

Now, as the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL, Gardner carries not just the expectations of elite performance, but also the responsibility of leadership during what the Jets hope will be a transformative era. If his past two seasons are any indication, Gardner appears well-prepared to handle both.

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