A day after agreeing to terms on a mammoth extension with standout wide receiver Garrett Wilson, the Jets opened up their checkbooks once more for one of their young stars.
On Tuesday, New York agreed to a four-year contract extension with CB Sauce Gardner, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported.
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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
The deal sees Gardner make more money than any other defensive back in NFL history. He confirmed the news in a social media post released shortly after Rapoport’s report went live.
THE DEAL IS DONE📝 this only the beginning. my brother @allantegardner bts & @ajv got it done. I appreciate the Jets organization for believing in me, my teammates for the blood, sweat, & tears we put in, and JETS NATION… I appreciate y’all supporting me💚 Thank you GOD🥀 pic.twitter.com/1qsiT3Xga3
— SAUCE GARDNER (@iamSauceGardner) July 15, 2025
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Here’s what you need to know about the numbers behind Gardner’s big-money deal.
MORE: Where Sauce Gardner ranks among highest-paid defensive players in 2025
Sauce Gardner contract details
- Years: Four
- Value: $120.4 million
Gardner’s deal will see him earn $30.1 million average annual value (AAV). That final $100,000 a season is especially notable; he surpassed Texans star Derek Stingley Jr. to become the league’s highest-paid cornerback.
Nearly half of Gardner’s new deal is guaranteed, according to ESPN. Gardner still has two years remaining on his current deal, so the contract won’t officially kick in until the 2027 season.
MORE: Full details of Garrett Wilson’s extension with Jets
The No. 4 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Gardner has quickly established himself as one of the league’s most fearsome defensive backs. He captured Defensive Rookie of the Year honors and a first-team All Pro selection after tallying 75 tackles, two interceptions and a league-best 20 pass deflections in 2022. He snagged another first-team All-Pro spot in his sophomore season before falling back to earth in an injury-plagued 2024.
Gardner’s contract is one of three CB deals to have reset the market this offseason. The Panthers locked up star corner Jaycee Horn to a four-year, $100 million earlier in the offseason. One week later, Stingley inked his mammoth extension.
It’s hard to see anyone surpassing Gardner’s figures in the short term.
Sauce Gardner stats
| Season | Games | Tackles (Solo) | Interceptions | Pass Deflections |
| 2022 | 17 | 75 (51) | 2 | 20 |
| 2023 | 16 | 57 (41) | 0 | 11 |
| 2024 | 15 | 49 (36) | 1 | 9 |
| Total | 48 | 181 (128) | 3 | 40 |
