Sauce Gardner silencing doubters with dominant camp after historic payday

New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner is wasting no time this summer making it clear he's not satisfied. Fresh off signing a record-setting $120.4 million extension earlier this summer, the Jets’ star cornerback has been one of the team's most dominant players in training camp.

Reporters from multiple outlets — including Brian Costello of the New York Post and Antwan Staley of the New York Daily News — singled him out as arguably the best player on the field during Monday’s padded practice.

Gardner reportedly blanketed star wide receiver Garrett Wilson, knocking away multiple passes intended for his 2022 draft-mate. And this isn't the first we've heard of Gardner's dominant summer.

Just last week, SNY’s Connor Hughes called this the best version of Gardner he’s ever seen, which is a lofty statement given Gardner was named first-team All-Pro in each of his first two NFL seasons.

Sauce Gardner already seems primed for another All-Pro season

The fourth overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Gardner has been everything the Jets hoped for in a franchise cornerstone, and then some. He became just the third defensive player in NFL history to be named first-team All-Pro in each of his first two seasons, joining the likes of Lawrence Taylor and Micah Parsons.

Gardner's numbers over his first three NFL seasons rival any cornerback in football, and he's rightfully seen as one of the most valuable non-quarterbacks in the league.

That's why the Jets rewarded him with a historic four-year, $120.4 million extension this summer that made him the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history. It's nearly impossible to argue that it wasn't deserved.

Even in his admittedly "down" year in 2024, Gardner still allowed the fewest catches (25) among all qualified cornerbacks. That said, there's still very clear room for improvement following his third NFL season.

Gardner was flagged 10 times last season, matching his total from his first two years combined. His missed-tackle rate spiked to a career-worst 17.5%, and he forced just one turnover all year. Those are the aspects of his game Aaron Glenn and the new coaching staff are expected to work on in 2025.

The early reports out of camp are both encouraging and a reminder to some who have forgotten just how talented Gardner is. Gardner isn’t satisfied with accolades, contracts, or his reputation. He wants to dominate.

And if his performance so far this summer is any indication, 2025 might be the year he returns to his peak form. Three-time All-Pro Sauce Gardner is loading.

More NY Jets news and analysis: