Sauce Gardner signs record-breaking deal as highest-paid cornerback in NFL history
- The New York Jets secured a four-year, $120.4 million extension for Sauce Gardner, making him the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history.
- Less than a day later, the Jets signed Garrett Wilson to a four-year, $130 million deal, setting a record for a receiver's earnings after three seasons.
- These significant contract extensions indicate the Jets' commitment to building a competitive team as they prepare for the upcoming season.
In the United States, on July 15, 2025, the New York Jets made headlines by securing contracts with two of their standout players. Sauce Gardner, the reigning highest-paid cornerback in the NFL, completed a four-year contract extension worth $120.4 million, including $60 million in guarantees. Gardner, who previously won the Defensive Rookie of the Year award and has made multiple Pro Bowl appearances, expressed his excitement about the deal, confirming it through a message on social media. This significant contract ensures his presence with the Jets through the 2030 season. In conjunction with Gardner's deal, the Jets also announced an impressive four-year, $130 million contract extension for wide receiver Garrett Wilson. This contract signifies a milestone in NFL history, as it marks the first time a wide receiver has averaged over $31 million per year after just three seasons in the league. Wilson, also a young star for the Jets, conveyed his gratitude and enthusiasm about the contract via social media, indicating that it means a great deal to him and hinting at ambitions for future successes with the team. His rise to prominence further supports the growing reputation of the Jets as a competitive force in the league. Both contract extensions are indicative of a larger trend in the NFL, where teams are preemptively locking in their star players with record-breaking deals as training camps approach. This flurry of contract activity highlights the increasing monetary stakes in the league, as teams invest heavily in retaining top talent. With the NFL’s salary cap set at $279.2 million for the upcoming season, the conveyed value of these extensions showcases the league’s economic growth, correlating with demands for high-caliber performances on the field. The Jets’ decisions to extend contracts for both Gardner and Wilson reflect their strategy to build a robust team capable of competing for championships in the near future. With the hiring of new head coach Aaron Glenn and his staff, the Jets are making a conscious effort to foster a winning culture and retain talented players who can contribute to that vision. Gardner's and Wilson's extensions set a precedent that might encourage other franchises to invest similarly in their budding stars, reshaping the financial landscape of the league in the years to come.