NY Jets’ future Sauce Gardner extension just got a lot more expensive

The NY Jets are going to make Sauce Gardner the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history. While the timing remains uncertain, it’s practically a foregone conclusion at this point. Sauce will get paid.

The former first-round pick made two first-team All-Pro teams in his first three years in the NFL and has established himself as one of the elite players at his position. At just 24 years old, Gardner is one of the most valuable non-quarterbacks in the league.

That's why it shouldn't come as a surprise that Gardner will receive a historic extension when the time comes — he's eligible for a new deal this offseason. However, the longer the Jets wait, the more expensive that deal will become.

The Carolina Panthers re-signed star cornerback Jaycee Horn to a record-setting four-year, $100 million deal, including $70 million in guarantees, making him the highest-paid defensive back in league history on Monday. Gardner's price tag just got even more expensive.

NY Jets should extend Sauce Gardner ASAP after the Jaycee Horn deal

Horn’s deal surpasses the benchmark previously set by Dolphins star Jalen Ramsey, who became the NFL’s highest-paid cornerback after signing a three-year, $72.3 million extension in September. That contract averaged $24.1 million per year — Horn is now earning $25 million AAV.

The expectation is that Gardner will surpass that figure once he receives his new contract, and it's hard to argue he doesn't deserve it. He's the first cornerback in NFL history to be named first-team All-Pro in consecutive seasons to start a career.

Even in his supposed "down year" in 2024, Gardner still allowed fewer catches than any qualified cornerback in the NFL. There are valid criticisms of his game, but there's no denying he's one of the best cornerbacks in football, and the Jets are well aware of that.

The Jets would be wise to get a deal done with their All-Pro cornerback sooner rather than later. Houston Texans star Derek Stingley Jr. is also eligible for an extension, as are the likes of Trent McDuffie and Christian Benford. Extending Gardner before those players receive new deals should be a top priority.

The new Jets regime already inked a new deal with one internal core piece, signing linebacker Jamien Sherwood to a three-year, $45 million extension on Sunday. Gardner is hopefully up next.

Waiting will only drive up the price, and with the cornerback market continuing to rise, the Jets would be wise to lock in Sauce Gardner as soon as possible before his extension becomes even more costly. Let's get this one done.

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