Who Should I Start? Ahmad Gardner or Damarri Mathis

Sunday, March 2, 9:20 PM

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.

Sunday, August 25, 6:46 PM

Denver Broncos defensive back Damarri Mathis (ankle) was removed early during Sunday's preseason finale against the Arizona Cardinals. Mathis had to be carted off the field after suffering what looked to be a bad ankle injury during Sunday's game. The assumption is that the Broncos will have Mathis undergo further testing to determine the severity of the injury. At the moment, it's uncertain if Mathis will be ready to play in the regular season opener. That being said, Riley Moss would likely be the next man up to start alongside Patrick Surtain, assuming Mathis misses time. The absence of Mathis would certainly be a hit to the Broncos secondary.