The New York Jets will begin discussing contract extensions with cornerback Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner and wide receiver Garrett Wilson following the 2025 NFL Draft, according to reports. Both Gardner (No. 4) and Wilson (No. 10) were selected with top-10 selections in the 2022 draft. The Jets will soon exercise their fifth-year contract options, keeping them on their rookie deal through 2026. They'll expect to negotiate extensions before the expiration.
Garrett Wilson
The wide receiver market was reset this offseason when the Cincinnati Bengals signed Ja'Marr Chase to a four-year extension worth $161 million with $112 million in guarantees, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL at $40.2 million annually. Though Wilson won't reach those heights, he should be the receiver that most benefits from Chase's earth-shattering deal. The former Ohio State standout has begun his career with three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, including career-highs this past year with 101 catches for 1,104 yards and seven touchdowns.
Wilson has been a consistent weapon despite the Jets' lackluster quarterback play. During his rookie and sophomore seasons, the Jets played eight different quarterbacks, but that hasn't stopped Wilson from being productive.
CeeDee Lamb and Justin Jefferson are trailing behind Chase, who earn $34 and $35 million per year, respectively. DK Metcalf and A.J. Brown also signed extensions this summer worth between $32 and $33 million each. Wilson's goal should be to surpass those deals while threatening Jefferson to become the second-highest paid receiver in the league. A four-year extension at $138 million would represent a happy median, paying Wilson $34.5 million annually.
Sauce Gardner
Gardner possesses a strong argument as the best cornerback, or at worst, top-five, in the league. The ex-Cincinnati Bearcat has recorded 41 pass breakups in three seasons. Gardner's coverage grades have ranged from 73.1 (worst) to 90.0 and 90.8 (best) in three completed campaigns.
Gardner's negotiation will directly draw from the extension signed by Houston Texans cover-man Derek Stingley Jr. earlier this offseason. Stingley Jr. inked a three-year deal extension worth $90 million. At $30 million per season, he became the highest-paid cornerback in the league annually. The closest player is Jaycee Horn, who earns $5 million less ($25 million).
A three-year extension paying Gardner $32.5 million per year would equal $97.5 million. That would make Gardner the highest-paid corner in the league annually, and tie him with Marlon Humphrey as the third-highest paid corner from a total contract value perspective. Like Stingley, keeping the extension relatively short at three years would offer him another opportunity at a pay raise in a league that is consistently seeing its salary cap endure significant increases.
Conclusion
The Jets are fortunate to possess two ascending superstars at premium positions in Gardner and Wilson. Justin Fields will be the Jets' starting quarterback in 2024. At $20 million per season, Fields may be the lowest-paid starting QB in the league who isn't on a rookie contract.
General manager Darren Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn will also aim to get a rookie signal-caller on the roster within the next two drafts who can develop into a long-term starter. By doing so, they'll easily possess the financial flexibility required to sign Wilson and Gardner to lucrative extensions. The Jets should enter those negotiations shortly in good faith.
