The New York Jets continue locking up their young stars, and after securing Garrett Wilson’s new deal, it was Sauce Gardner’s turn to solidify his future with the franchise. The two-time All-Pro cornerback and 2022 Defensive Rookie of the Year has signed a contract extension, marking a historic deal for the position.
Sauce Gardner’s Contract Details
The Jets secured long-term stability on defense by extending Gardner, the team’s biggest defensive star and one of the NFL’s premier cornerbacks since entering the league in 2022. With this deal, Gardner becomes the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history.
He signed a four-year extension worth $120.4 million, including $85.45 million in guaranteed money. The franchise had already picked up the fifth-year option on Gardner’s rookie deal, meaning the 2025 season will still be under his original rookie contract.
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The #Jets and All-Pro CB Sauce Gardner have agreed to terms on a massive new extension, making him the highest-paid CB in NFL history, per The Insiders.
It’s a 4-year, $120.4M deal — $30.1M per year — done by his team – agent @ajv and @allantegardner of @vaynersports. pic.twitter.com/T0Hfr9Pd0P
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 15, 2025
This extension keeps Gardner under contract through 2030, locking him in for two more fully guaranteed years plus the new extension, which offers the Jets some financial flexibility while guaranteeing Gardner long-term security.
So far in his career, Gardner has earned $28.184 million from his rookie deal and is set to receive another $5.266 million from the fifth-year option. He now has nearly $118 million in total guarantees, with a potential total of $153.85 million if he plays out the whole contract.
Combining his current rookie contract with the new extension, Gardner will average $24.31 million per year through 2030. Starting in 2029, however, no guarantees remain in his deal, which could make him a candidate for a contract restructure or even a new extension.
Gardner made an immediate impact in the NFL, earning First-Team All-Pro honors and Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2022. Despite not recording an interception, he repeated the All-Pro nod in 2023, a testament to his lockdown coverage skills that often forced quarterbacks to avoid throwing his way entirely.
SAUCE. His first INT of the season seals the win!#NYJvsJAX pic.twitter.com/PE3g4GLiN0
— NFL (@NFL) December 15, 2024
His ability to consistently shut down top receivers makes him a cornerstone for a Jets defense looking to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2010. Under new head coach Aaron Glenn, New York is betting on Gardner to anchor the secondary for years.
Gardner’s net worth is estimated to be around $15 million. However, that amount will rapidly increase with his new contract. Since he will live most of his life in New York, the Jets star will get ample opportunities off the field to expand his wealth and business portfolio.
The Jets open the season against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Gardner is looking to return to top form after a slight dip in performance last season, which mirrored the overall decline of the team’s defensive unit. With D.J. Reed’s departure, there’s added pressure on Gardner to reclaim his status as the lockdown corner he was in his first two years.
