Sauce Gardner couldn’t resist cheesehead callback in Jets preseason opener

Sauce Gardner just couldn’t help himself. Nearly three years after his famous postgame celebration at Lambeau Field — when he wore a Packers cheesehead after a stunning New York Jets win and had it swatted off his head by future teammate Allen Lazard — the Jets’ All-Pro cornerback brought the bit back.

During halftime of New York’s preseason opener against the Packers on Saturday night, Gardner somehow got his hands on another cheesehead and carried it onto the sideline for the second half.

Gardner's antics were a playful nod to one of the most viral moments of his rookie year, and it immediately drew laughs and camera flashes from both Jets and Packers fans in attendance.

It may be a new season, but Gardner’s flair for trolling the opposition — especially in Green Bay, apparently — hasn’t gone anywhere. Some rivalries just never lose their flavor.

Sauce Gardner brings back his iconic Lambeau troll in Jets preseason opener

Gardner is looking to put together a bounce-back performance after what was undoubtedly his worst NFL season to date in 2024. Of course, with consecutive first-team All-Pro seasons to begin his career, the bar had been set astronomically high.

Still, you won't find many who disagree that the 2024 season was the worst of Gardner's three-year career to this point. Gardner was penalized 10 times after drawing just 10 total flags over his first two years combined. He also missed a career-worst 17.5% of his tackle attempts.

That said, Gardner's "down year" still saw him allow the fewest catches among all qualified cornerbacks in the NFL. That's why the Jets rewarded him with a massive four-year, $120.4 million extension this summer that made him the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history.

It's a well-deserved honor for a player who became the third defender in league history to earn first-team All-Pro honors in each of his first two seasons in the NFL, joining the likes of Lawrence Taylor and Micah Parsons.

Gardner's fourth NFL season is already off to an impressive start, as the former Cincinnati star looked every bit of his elite self in the 12 snaps he played Saturday night.

Gardner recorded two pass breakups and a successful run fill on his first drive, although he was called for defensive pass interference on the subsequent possession.

Sauce Gardner looks like he’s already in regular-season form, and evidently, if he’s in the building, no cheesehead is truly safe.

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