Tag: Gardner

Reports: Colts spice things up, trade for Jets CB Sauce Gardner

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Indianapolis Colts made a splash ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline, reportedly sending two first-round picks to the New York Jets for star cornerback Sauce Gardner.

Gardner, 25, was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2022 and is a two-time Pro Bowl and All-Pro first-team selection since being selected with the No. 4 overall pick in 2022.

Gardner appeared to confirm the reports on social media. “New York it’s been real,” he posted on X, along with a green heart emoji.

The Jets will receive the Colts’ first-round picks in 2026 and 2027 along with wide receiver AD Mitchell in exchange for Gardner, NFL Network reported.

Gardner recorded 20 tackles and six passes defensed in the first seven games this season before missing the Week 8 win at Cincinnati in concussion protocol. The Jets (1-7) had a bye last weekend.

He signed a four-year, $120.4 million contract extension in July that made him the NFL’s highest-paid player at his position with a $30.1 million average annual value.

Gardner has recorded three interceptions, 46 passes defensed, 201 tackles and one forced fumble in 55 games (all starts).

The Colts (7-2) are enjoying their best season since their last trip to the playoffs in 2020.

–Field Level Media

Oct 19, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) looks on from the sidelines during the third quarter against the Carolina Panthers at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Jets rule out CB Sauce Gardner and WR Garrett Wilson

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The New York Jets ruled out cornerback Sauce Gardner and wide receiver Garrett Wilson for Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Head coach Aaron Glenn provided the updates Friday, adding that quarterback Tyrod Taylor (knee) is questionable but trending in the right direction.

Glenn has still not announced whether Taylor or Justin Fields will be under center for the winless Jets (0-7) against the host Bengals (3-4).

Gardner (concussion) and Wilson (knee), arguably New York’s best players on each side of the ball, did not practice Wednesday or Thursday. Gardner was hurt in last week’s 13-6 loss to the Carolina Panthers, while Wilson sustained his injury in the Week 6 loss to the Denver Broncos.

Gardner, 25, has 20 tackles and six passes defensed in seven starts this season. The two-time All-Pro has started 55 of a possible 58 games since being drafted with the No. 4 overall pick in 2022.

Wilson, 25, leads the Jets in targets (56), receptions (36), receiving yards (395) and touchdown catches (four) in six starts. Before sitting out last weekend, he had played in all 57 games since being drafted 10th overall in 2022.

Gardner and Wilson were the NFL’s Defensive and Offensive Rookies of the Year, respectively, in 2022.

Taylor, 36, replaced an ineffective Fields in the second half of last Sunday’s loss to the Panthers. He has completed 43 of 69 passes for 379 yards with three TDs and three interceptions in three games (one start) this season.

Fields, 26, has completed 86 of 135 passes for 845 yards with four touchdowns and no picks in six starts this year. He has been held under 50 yards in each of the past two games.

–Field Level Media

New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) hauls in an interception against Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington (11) during the fourth quarter Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jets held off the Jaguars 32-25. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]

CB Sauce Gardner trumpets new deal with Jets

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Sauce Gardner signaled a joyful end to contract negotiations with the New York Jets on Tuesday, when he reportedly agreed to a four-year, $120.4 million contract that will make him the highest-paid player at the position.

Gardner is set to sign days after another of the Jets’ trio of 2022 first-round picks, wide receiver Garrett Wilson, agreed to a long-term extension.

“THE DEAL IS DONE. This only the beginning,” Gardner wrote on his Twitter account. “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.”

Gardner, 24, will make $30.1 million per season. He was named an All-Pro in each of his first two years as a pro but did not have the same standout season in 2024.

Drafted fourth overall and named Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2022, Gardner was in line to earn more than $25 million total over the final two years of his rookie contract.

–Field Level Media

The New York Jets' first-round picks Jermaine Johnson, Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner and Garrett Wilson are introduced at a press conference. Syndication The Record

Jets pick up options for three 2022 first-round picks

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The New York Jets are picking up the fifth-year options on all three of their 2022 first-round draft picks, general manager Darren Mougey said Monday.

The fully guaranteed 2026 options are worth $20.1 million for cornerback Sauce Gardner (fourth overall pick), $16.8 million for wide receiver Garrett Wilson (10th) and $13.4 million for linebacker Jermaine Johnson (26th).

Gardner, 24, has earned two Pro Bowl and two All-Pro first-team selections and was the 2022 Defensive Rookie of the Year. He has recorded three interceptions, 40 passes defensed and 181 tackles in 48 games (all starts).

Wilson, 24, has posted three straight 1,000-yard seasons and was the NFL’s 2022 Offensive Rookie of the Year. He has collected 279 catches for 3,249 yards and 14 touchdowns in 51 games (46 starts).

Johnson, 26, made the Pro Bowl in 2023 but missed the final 15 games last season with a torn Achilles tendon. He has 10 sacks, 21 quarterback hits, one interception and one fumble recovery in 33 games (19 starts).

–Field Level Media

New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) catches the ball during warmups before a game against the New England Patriots.

Jets CBs Sauce Gardner, D.J. Reed clear concussion protocol

Posted on | by Field Level Media

New York Jets starting cornerbacks Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed have both cleared concussion protocol, coach Robert Saleh said Friday.

Reed has missed two games and Gardner missed the Week 6 win against the Philadelphia Eagles. Coming off a bye week, both are expected to play Sunday against the New York Giants.

Gardner, 23, has 20 tackles, three passes defensed and a forced fumble in five starts this season. The 2022 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year has two interceptions, 23 passes defensed and 95 tackles in 22 games (all starts).

Reed, 26, recorded 28 tackles in four starts before he was sidelined after Week 4. He has five picks and 302 tackles in 76 games (45 starts) with the San Francisco 49ers (2018-19), Seattle Seahawks (2020-21) and Jets.

–Field Level Media

New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) catches the ball during warmups before the Jets take on the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023, in East Rutherford.

Jets rule out CB Sauce Gardner (concussion)

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The New York Jets ruled out Sauce Gardner (concussion) for Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles, putting the team down its two top cornerbacks.

The Jets (2-3) ruled out D.J. Reed on Friday, also with a concussion. Reed also missed last week’s game win over Denver.

Gardner took to social media to say he feels “perfectly fine” despite not clearing the concussion protocol.

“That’s the crazy part about it,” Gardner posted to X.

Bryce Hall and Craig James are expected to get the starts at cornerback on Sunday against the Eagles (5-0), tasked with defending Devonta Smith and A.J. Brown.

Gardner has 20 tackles, three passes defensed and a forced fumble in five starts this season. Sunday will mark his first game missed as a pro.

Reed started all four games before being sidelined after Week 4.

–Field Level Media