New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner only covered an opponent's top receiver a handful of times each season in the team' previous zone-based defensive scheme, although he's quietly yearned for more of those chances. According to ESPN's Rich Cimini, Gardner said he could get many more chances to cover a WR1 in the new defensive scheme, which is expected to rely heavily on man-to-man coverage. In addition to trying to lock down another star wideout more, Gardner might get more blitzing opportunities under new defensive-minded head coach Aaron Glenn. Opposing QBs don't often target Gardner's side of the field, but that could change if he's guarding more top wideouts, which in turn could lead to more pass-breakup and interception opportunities for the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL. Tackling hasn't really been his forte, but Gardner's coverage skills are elite.
Jul 28, 2025 6:31 PM EST
The New York Jets are signing All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner to a four-year, $120.4 million contract extension, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The new deal that includes a $30.1 million average salary makes the 24-year-old the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history. Since being selected with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Cincinnati, Gardner has earned two first-team All-Pro honors and been selected to two Pro Bowls. In 48 career games, he has tallied 181 tackles (128 solo), three interceptions, 41 pass deflections, one sack, and one forced fumble. The team recently reached an agreement on a contract extension for wideout Garrett Wilson, locking up its premier players on offense and defense for the foreseeable future.
Jul 15, 2025 3:17 PM EST
ESPN.com's Rich Cimini reports that new New York Jets defensive coordinator Steve Wilks has challenged defensive back Sauce Gardner to bring his game to a new level this offseason. "I know I'm not perfect, but the fact that he's trying to get perfection out of me is what I need," said Gardner. "I've had a lot of success, early success in the league...the last thing I need is a new regime to come in here and just allow me to be complacent." The fourth-year pro took the league by storm in his rookie season and followed it up with another exceptional campaign. However, 2024 saw Gardner rank 47 out of 52 qualified corners in EPA per target as the nearest defender, and he's recorded a lone interception in his last 31 appearances. It seems he's responded well to the challenge and is an excellent bounce-back candidate ahead of 2025.
Jul 14, 2025 4:29 PM EST
The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt writes that New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner wants to be the highest-paid cornerback in the league. Additionally, the Jets need to figure out when to extend wide receiver Garrett Wilson, who is seeking in the range of $25-30 million per year. Gardner has stated that he would like to retire as a Jet, but the team will probably need to move fast to avoid prices going up. The 24-year-old defensive back is entering the final year of his rookie contract in 2025 and has already become one of the top shutdown corners in the NFL. The former fourth overall pick in 2022 out of Cincinnati is a two-time Pro Bowler and also won Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2022. Gardner finished with 49 tackles (36 solo), his first career sack, an interception and nine pass breakups in 15 starts in 2024.
Jul 11, 2025 7:50 PM EST
New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner is expected to reset the cornerback market as the highest-paid player because the two-time All-Pro is arguably the league's best shutdown cornerback, sources told SNY's Connor Hughes. The Jets will also likely consider an extension for wide receiver Garrett Wilson soon, but sources agreed that Gardner's new deal is far simpler. Additionally, Hughes got the sense at this year's NFL Combine in Indianapolis that the new Jets regime of general manager Darren Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn are much more open to the idea of extending players after three years than former GM Joe Douglas was. Sources think that any extensions that Mougey and Glenn reward players with will be fair and to market value, assuming the organization has the financial means to pull it off. Gardner, the former fourth overall pick, had a career-low 49 tackles (36 solo), one sack and an interception in 15 starts in 2024.
Mar 2, 2025 9:20 PM EST
According to Brian Costello of the New York Post, New York Jets defensive back Sauce Gardner (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins. The defensive back initially suffered this hamstring injury during Week 16 and reaggravated last weekend during their loss to the Buffalo Bills. During the week, Gardner was unable to practice in any capacity. As a result, fantasy managers in IDP formats should expect Brandin Echols and Michael Carter to see an increase in playing time on Sunday. Gardner will end his 2024 campaign with 49 tackles (36 solo), one sack, nine pass deflections, and one interception across 15 games.
Jan 3, 2025 1:57 PM EST
New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner (hamstring) and defensive lineman Quinnen Williams (hamstring) were both missing from practice on Thursday for the second straight day this week. Gardner was injured in the Week 16 loss to the Los Angeles Rams and didn't play in last Sunday's blowout loss to the division-rival Buffalo Bills. Meanwhile, Williams sat out in Week 16 but returned to action against Buffalo. With the Jets playing out the string in a disappointing season, both Gardner and Williams could be held out this weekend if they aren't 100 percent. It would be more bad news for a Jets defense that has really underwhelmed in 2024. New York will be facing a Miami Dolphins team in Week 18 that is still trying to keep their playoff hopes alive, so fantasy managers should be looking to avoid the Jets' defense/special teams unit.
Jan 2, 2025 1:22 PM EST
New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner (hamstring) was not able to practice with the rest of the team on Wednesday as they prepare for the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Miami Dolphins on Sunday. Gardner injured his hamstring in the Week 16 loss to the Los Angeles Rams but played in the blowout loss to the division-rival Buffalo Bills last weekend, although he aggravated his hamstring in the third quarter and never returned. The Jets have nothing left to play for but pride in the final game of the regular season, so there's a good chance the Jets will hold the 24-year-old out this weekend. If Gardner doesn't get the green light to play in Week 18, Brandin Echols should fill in for him in the secondary. Gardner, the former fourth overall pick in 2022 out of Cincinnati, hasn't been quite as good as he was in his first two NFL season and has 49 combined tackles and one pick in 15 starts.
Jan 2, 2025 10:17 AM EST
New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner (hamstring) exited the game against the Buffalo Bills with a hamstring injury and will not return. The star cornerback left the game in the third quarter and was quickly downgraded from questionable to out. He registered three total tackles, all solo, and one pass defended before leaving. The Jets already have a thin secondary, so they'll have an even tougher time playing spoiler to the Buffalo Bills.
Dec 29, 2024 3:11 PM EST
New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner (hamstring) and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams (hamstring) are both questionable to play on Sunday against the division-rival Buffalo Bills in Week 17. ESPN New York's Rich Cimini writes that it's not looking good for Gardner to play after he missed practice all week. However, the Jets are hopeful that Williams can suit up after he was limited in practice from Wednesday to Friday. Gardner, one of the better lockdown corners in the league, injured his hamstring in the Week 16 loss to the Los Angeles Rams and isn't expected to be available as the Jets D looks to slow down Josh Allen and Company in Week 17. Williams, 27, missed last week's game but is trending in the right direction. It will be a huge boost for New York's defensive line, but the Jets defense/special teams should be avoided against Buffalo in fantasy.
Dec 27, 2024 5:09 PM EST
According to Rich Cimini of ESPN, New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner (hamstring) and safety Tony Adams (ankle) are questionable to return to Sunday's game. Adams tallied an interception before leaving while Gardner tallied two tackles. Fantasy managers should expect Brandin Echols and Isaiah Oliver to have an increased role for the remainder of the game.
Dec 22, 2024 3:42 PM EST
New York Jets star defensive back Sauce Gardner (hamstring) is expected to suit up in Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Gardner missed last week's game against the Miami Dolphins due to a hamstring injury he suffered in Week 13 versus the Seattle Seahawks. Per Zack Rosenblatt, Gardner is good to go for Week 15, which will be a nice boost for the Jets' defense. With the Jets eliminated from the playoffs, Gardner feels close to 100%, as it seems unlikely New York would play him if he were not at full strength. Gardner will likely line up against the speedy Brian Thomas Jr. in his first game back in action. The Jaguars' passing attack has not been known to tear up opposing defenses, so the Jets' defense will be a top option for fantasy managers in Week 15. RotoBaller has the Jets DST as the No. 3 ranked fantasy defense in the latest Week 15 rankings.
Dec 11, 2024 11:27 AM EST
New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner (hamstring) is officially inactive for Week 14 against the Miami Dolphins. This was widely expected after Gardner missed three consecutive practices and entered the weekend listed as doubtful. The talented defender has not previously missed a contest this season, registering 39 tackles, one sack, and zero interceptions through 12 contests. Brandin Echols should draw the start in his absence.
Dec 8, 2024 11:33 AM EST
New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner (hamstring) has been listed as doubtful to play in Week 15 against the division-rival Miami Dolphins on the road on Sunday, according to interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich. Gardner injured his hamstring in the Week 13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks and will most likely be out this weekend, with his next chance to suit up coming in Week 15 versus the Jacksonville Jaguars. The 24-year-old two-time All-Pro is one of the league's better cornerbacks, although he hasn't really lived up to his high standards in 2024. Still, his expected absence on Sunday will be good news for Dolphins receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle as the Dolphins look to bounce back from a Thanksgiving beatdown last Thursday by the Green Bay Packers. New York's disappointing defense shouldn't be considered a top-12 fantasy unit in Week 14.
Dec 6, 2024 6:27 PM EST
New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner (foot) seemingly injured his foot on Thursday night during the fourth quarter of their contest against the Houston Texans. The star defensive back was able to come back into the game, but Ian Rapoport says that his status is worth monitoring especially if the team decides to do some tests on Friday. There hasn't been any official word of an injury that will cause him to miss some time just yet.
Nov 1, 2024 10:24 AM EST
New York Jets star cornerback Sauce Gardner (head) was removed from the Week 5 game in London against the Minnesota Vikings in the second quarter and was being evaluated for a concussion. Gardner was taken to the locker room for evaluation and came back out onto the field. He has been on the sidelines with his helmet on but hasn't gone back into the game. The 24-year-old is most likely questionable to return. He injured himself while colliding with teammate Quincy Williams. If Gardner goes into the league's concussion protocol after this game, he'll be up in the air to face the division-rival Buffalo Bills in Week 6, although he'll also have extra time to recover. At this point with time winding down in the fourth quarter in London, it seems unlikely that Gardner will be allowed to return to the field. Before leaving, Gardner had just one tackle.
Oct 6, 2024 12:29 PM EST
New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh said it's a "possibility" that cornerback Sauce Gardner will travel with the opposing team's No. 1 wide receiver this year. It wouldn't be an exclusive setup, though, but it could happen more than it did last year. Gardner has quickly become of the better lock-down corners in the NFL after being taken with the fourth overall pick in 2022 out of Cincinnati. The 23-year-old was a first-team All-Pro in each of the last two years and was named Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2022. As such, opposing quarterbacks rarely chose to test him last year. He finished the 2023 campaign with 57 tackles (41 solo) and 11 passes defensed without an interception. Matching him up against more WR1s could give him more action in his third NFL season.
May 21, 2024 10:23 PM EST
New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Gardner, who has 20 tackles and one forced fumble this year, will miss the first game of his career in Week 6. With D.J. Reed (concussion) and Brandin Echols (hamstring) also out, New York plans to start Bryce Hall and practice squad call-up Craig James at cornerback.
Oct 15, 2023 10:22 AM EST
Gardner finished the 2022 season with 75 tackles (51 solo), two interceptions and a league-high 20 passes defensed.
Jan 11, 2023 10:17 AM EST
Head coach Robert Saleh said Friday that Gardner (calf) is playing Sunday against the Bears, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.
Nov 25, 2022 9:30 AM EST
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