Rapper Fat Joe famously said in 2022, “Yesterday’s price is not today’s price.”
That couldn’t be more true when talking about NFL contract extensions.
Both cornerback Sauce Gardner and wide receiver Garrett Wilson are eligible for contract extensions for the first time because they are entering their fourth seasons in the league. However, the Jets have a new brass this offseason in general manager Darren Mougey and coach Aaron Glenn.
At the NFL Scouting Combine last month, Mougey appeared open to extending Gardner and Wilson.
“I’m just excited those guys are on the roster,” Mougey said. “Two young good players, talented players, excited they’re part of the roster.
“The to-do list is to keep good young players on the team and add good players.”
However, it doesn’t appear that extending Gardner and Wilson is a priority at the moment, which is understandable. Mougey and Glenn are trying to improve a Jets team that finished 5-12 last season and one that hasn’t made the playoffs since 2010.
New York Jets’ Garrett Wilson runs a route during an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
But the longer the Jets wait, the more the cost of doing business will continue to increase.
A week ago, Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn became the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history after receiving a four-year, $100 million contract extension, including $70 million guaranteed. His contract’s annual value will average $25 million per season and could reach $108 million with incentives.
It only took a week for Horn’s contract to be already topped.
On Monday morning, cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. and the Texans agreed to a three-year, $90 million extension on Monday, according to multiple reports. The deal includes $89 million guaranteed, according to ESPN.
Mougey didn’t say when the Jets might extend Gardner and Wilson, but they should sooner rather than later. Most organizations usually aren’t quick to pay a top cornerback and a young ascending wide receiver following their third season. But clearly, times have changed in the NFL.
Gardner has made it no secret that he wants to be part of the Jets’ solution and help the team end its dreaded playoff drought.
During his three seasons in the league, Gardner has undoubtedly made the case for becoming the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history after becoming a first-team All-Pro during his first two seasons. Former Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor and Cowboys pass rusher Micah Parsons are the only other defensive players to accomplish that.
Gardner also won the 2022 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award and was named to two consecutive Pro Bowls. But, the 2024 season was a down season for Gardner’s standards. He registered 49 tackles, nine pass breakups, and one interception after battling a hamstring injury late in the year.
The biggest issue for Gardner last season was his tackling. He had a missed tackle rate of 17.5%, according to Pro Football Focus, ranking him 80th out of 96 qualified cornerbacks. Gardner also committed 11 penalties after only five during his first two seasons.
Whenever the Jets extend Gardner, he will likely become the highest-paid cornerback. But coming off a down 2024 season could complicate Gardner’s contract extension. Horn and Stingley were both coming off Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections respectfully after their extensions.
Last year, Mougey was the Broncos’ assistant general manager when they extended cornerback Patrick Surtain II (four-year, $96 million) last September. Surtain went on to win the 2024 NFL Defensive Player of the Year award.
“Obviously, my standard that I got for myself and set for myself is on a different level. It’s just me being my biggest critic,” Gardner said following the end of last season. “My season this year, is not at my standard, but it would be an elite season depending on who you are talking about. I had a lot of missed tackles and I’m going to clean that up this offseason.”
The cost of doing business in terms of extending wide receivers has also increased recently after the Bengals receivers’ extensions.
Ja’Marr Chase agreed to a four-year, $161 million deal that includes $112 million guaranteed, according to Fox Sports. Tee Higgins also agreed to a four-year, $115 million contract guaranteed for the first two seasons.
Wilson has been a very good receiver during his first three seasons. He has averaged 93 receptions, 1,083 yards, and five touchdowns during his time with the Jets. But he isn’t considered one of the league’s top five to 10 receivers, which could be why negotiations take longer with his extension.
The Jets have protection with both Gardner and Wilson because they will likely exercise their fifth-year options by the May 1 deadline. That includes pass rusher Jermaine Johnson, who was also selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Gardner and Wilson’s extensions will likely be completed eventually. But it’s just a matter of how much they will cost the Jets in the end.