The Jet Press Podcast: Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner extensions, Darren Mougey

In the latest episode of The Jet Press Podcast, Justin Fried and Mike Luciano discuss the recent Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner extensions and Darren Mougey's first offseason as general manager of the New York Jets.

Justin and Mike were celebrating on this beautiful Wednesday afternoon, as the Jets agreed to four-year deals with each of their franchise cornerstones this week. Both Wilson and Gardner will be under contract with the Jets through the 2030 season.

Gardner's extension makes him the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history, narrowly topping Derek Stingley Jr. with an AAV of $30.1 million over four years. It's a well-deserved honor for arguably the most talented player the Jets have rostered since Darrelle Revis.

Gardner's deal was expected for months, but the same can't be said for Wilson. There was a genuine concern toward the end of the 2024 season that the former Ohio State star might request a trade in the offseason.

In the end, the new Jets regime of Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey was able to salvage the relationship, due in part to the team's decision to move on from Aaron Rodgers. Now, Wilson and Gardner could be well on their way to being forever Jets.

The hidden bonus of both deals is that neither extension kicks until the 2027 season. That means the Jets will have six years of control on both Gardner and Wilson, coming in at an average annual value of roughly $25 million between 2025 and 2030. That's outstanding value for the Jets.

That segued into an overall conversation about Mougey's first offseason as Jets GM. How would we grade his performance over the last six months? Both Justin and Mike agreed that Mougey kind've cooked.

From the Rodgers decision to the addition of Justin Fields to the selections of Armand Membou and Mason Taylor in the 2025 NFL Draft to this week's extensions, Mougey has pressed most of the right buttons since assuming his current position.

It hasn't been perfect — both Justin and Mike questioned the Brandon Stephens signing, for example — but Mougey has done a lot to change the perception of the Jets over the last six months. The Jets are finally behaving like a competent, functioning NFL organization. That has to count for something.

For more NY Jets content...

We stream LIVE on YouTube and Facebook every Wednesday at 3 pm ET and immediately following every Jets game. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel and hit that notification bell so you don't miss another stream. Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Don't want the NY Jets content to end? Follow us on Twitter (@TheJetPress) and Facebook. Subscribe to our channel on YouTube, and be sure to join us LIVE every Wednesday at 3 pm ET for The Jet Press Podcast.