Sauce Gardner likely in for a record-setting payday after Garrett Wilson news

Mike Luciano

NY Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner and wide receiver Garrett Wilson / Cooper Neill/GettyImages

The New York Jets have two established young stars on their roster in wide receiver Garrett Wilson and cornerback Sauce Gardner, and it remains obvious that new general manager Darren Mougey needs to come up with a way to give both of them some long-term extensions.

One of those two very important boxes has officially been checked off, as the Jets agreed to a four-year contract with Wilson. Justin Fields, or whoever ends up being the long-term quarterback, now has a solid top option to throw to after months of trade rumors surrounding him.

The Jets' contract with Wilson is a four-year, $130 million contract that makes him one of the five highest-paid receivers in the game. With Mougey having extended Wilson at what many believe is ever so slightly above market, Gardner's agents have to be thrilled with what the Jets did.

Many were wondering if the eventual Gardner extension was going to cost more than the nearly fully guaranteed contract that made Houston Texans star Derek Stingley Jr. the highest-paid corner in NFL history. Mougey overpaid for Wilson, which could mean he will cross that bridge with Gardner as well.

Sauce Gardner could receive record-breaking contract after Jets extend Garrett Wilson

Gardner is a better cornerback than Wilson is a wide receiver, which is an immense compliment given how good No. 5 has been in New York. Even in what was widely regarded as a "down" year, the two-time All-Pro DB allowed the fewest catches of any qualified corner in the league.

The only question with Gardner pertains to his tackling, even though there have been countless All-Pro and all-time great cornerbacks throughout NFL history who didn't hit like Ronnie Lott. Gardner's coverage skills are so exemplary that they are worth locking down for the foreseeable future.

The Jets have a very long rebuild that still needs to kick into high gear, but Mougey pulling off the Gardner extension right after committing to Wilson would give Aaron Glenn and his coaching staff two immutable building block players he can build around on both sides of the ball. Let's hope Wilson gets genuine quarterback play this time.

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Mike Luciano

Mike Luciano is an NFL staff writer for FanSided with a lifetime of expertise in all 32 teams, including the Las Vegas Raiders. He began his journey at Minute Media in 2020 and has since edited and written thousands of articles covering everything from the NFL Draft to the Super Bowl and free agency. Mike's work has been featured on Bleacher Report, Sports Illustrated, FanSided.com, and other outlets. Hot takes can be found on Twitter @ByMikeLuciano.