Sauce Gardner just upped the pressure on Jets CB Azareye’h Thomas

As has been the case for much of the 2020s, a New York Jets cornerback will be wearing No. 1 in Week 1.

But for the first time since 2021, it won’t be Sauce Gardner.

Second-year corner Azareye’h Thomas, who wore No. 23 as a rookie, switched to No. 1 this offseason. 

Speaking on “The Official Jets Podcast,” Thomas acknowledged the expectations that come with wearing No. 1. Gardner, now with the Colts, earned Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2022 and made two All-Pro teams.

"I'm gonna make my own shoes to fill," Thomas said. 

"I'm not Sauce, I'm not anybody else out there,” Thomas added. “I'm Azareye'h Thomas. I'm AZ Thomas."

Jets fans should love Azareye'h Thomas’ comments on wearing No. 1

In the grand scheme of things, a sophomore defender changing his number shouldn’t mean much. Thomas isn’t Kobe Bryant moving from No. 8 to No. 24, though the Jets would certainly welcome that level of impact.

But when you’re switching numbers to one (pun not intended) belonging to one of the most iconic players in the post-Darrelle Revis era, there is absolutely pressure that comes with it.

Jets fans should be ecstatic over Thomas’ mindset. Here you have someone who understands — and is willing to acknowledge — that people are expecting a certain level of play from him based on a number change.

Is that fair? Probably not, but is anything in the NFL fair?

Above all else, Thomas said what plenty of players likely think to themselves: It’s not about replacing Sauce Gardner so much as it is performing at a high level yourself.

"It's a different type of pressure, a different set of expectations when you walk out there and you're number one," Thomas said. "If you're number one, you're number one and you got to play like it.”

Yes, yes, and a million times, yes.

Too often we hear athletes opt for the media-friendly response or choose to be arrogant.

Thomas is more than willing to take a balanced approach, and it’s endearing. You want to root for him for reasons beyond him wearing a Jets helmet.

Unfortunately for Thomas, it’ll likely be some time before he gets to prove why he deserves to wear No. 1 while sharing a field with Gardner.

The postseason is the only way the Jets and Colts will meet this year. The AFC East does not face the AFC South in intra-conference play; Thomas and the Jets instead get the AFC West.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow