Jets’ Sauce Gardner Becomes Highest-Paid Cornerback in NFL History with Mega Deal

The New York Jets are locking in their future with some serious cash, and their latest move has made history. On Tuesday, star cornerback Sauce Gardner reportedly signed a jaw-dropping four-year, $120.4 million extension, with $60 million guaranteed, keeping him with the team through 2030. This deal officially crowns Gardner as the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history, with an annual average of $30.1 million, just nudging out Houston Texans’ Derek Stingley Jr.

At just 24 years old, Gardner has already proven he’s worth every penny. Bursting onto the scene in 2022, he snagged Defensive Rookie of the Year honors with two interceptions and a league-leading 20 passes defended. That same year, he earned first-team All-Pro and a Pro Bowl nod—achievements he repeated in his sophomore season. Even in a slightly quieter 2023, with one interception and nine passes defended over 15 games, Gardner remained a cornerstone of the Jets’ defense.

Gardner himself confirmed the mega-deal with a simple, confident post on social media: "The deal is done." And with this extension, following hot on the heels of a $130 million deal for wide receiver Garrett Wilson just a day prior, the Jets are clearly betting big on their young talent to turn the tide. Can Gardner’s lockdown coverage help propel the team to new heights? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure—his bank account is already in championship form.