Jets stars Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner reported to training camp Tuesday with much bigger bank accounts and the knowledge that they are part of the long-term plan for the organization.
Both players said they are not letting complacency creep in now that they’ve been paid.
“Me and Garrett were talking about how we have to compete, how we have to make it seem like we’re underpaid still,” Gardner said. “That’s the mentality we both have.”
Wilson received a four-year, $130 million contract extension last week.
Gardner received a four-year, $120.4 million extension a day later.
Gardner said he heard about Wilson’s extension while filming a commercial and immediately called Wilson to congratulate him.
The Jets sent Gardner the offer he ended up taking that same day, but he told his agents to wait a day before agreeing to it.
“I want Garrett to have his day,” Gardner recounted telling his agents, “his full day to himself to feel good about himself and to spend time with his family. I’ll do mine tomorrow.”
Now, the two players who joined the Jets as first-round picks in 2022 are likely to play together for years to come.
Both players said it meant a lot to get the long-term commitment from the Jets.
The duo has been part of three losing seasons with the Jets but both have repeatedly said they want to be part of turning the franchise into a winner.
“I’ve always kept my faith in that this thing is going to turn around and I’m going to be a big part of why it does,” Wilson said. “Some days are harder than others. I’m not superhuman. I’ve had days where I’ve been down and felt like things weren’t going our way, my way maybe. The next day, I always came back down to earth and coming to work here with these people, people who believe in me. I don’t take that lightly.”
Wilson, who has topped 1,000 yards receiving in each of his first three seasons said his next step as a player is not about individual goals but about winning.
“Playing meaningful football,” Wilson said when asked for his next step. “You said the next thing. That’s the thing, the only thing. I feel like I haven’t done anything. Just play meaningful football. Play in December and January when it matters, when you’re playing for something and go out and make plays, do what you do but on the highest stage.”
Gardner has the highest average annual salary among cornerbacks at $30.1 million, topping Texans star Derek Stingley Jr. by $100,000.
“That means a lot,” Gardner said of being the top-paid corner. “I’m Sauce. I mean that in the most humble way. No matter what I do, they going to make a huge deal out of it. I could miss a tackle. A lot of people miss tackles. I just understand that I’m me. People are going to blow things out of proportion. Even with them doing that, no one is a bigger critic than me than myself.”
Gardner said he appreciated that owner Woody Johnson, coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey believe in him enough to sign him to this contract.
“It’s just great that the coaching staff and Mr. Johnson all believed in me,” Gardner said. “Despite what people say, they watch the tape. I’m sure they watched every single play of my three years. That’s what helped them come up with the idea that we’re going to sign the guy to a long-term extension. It’s a blessing but it’s only the beginning. … I know there’s a floor, but there ain’t no roof. The sky’s the limit for me.”
Wilson said he appreciates the team’s faith in him despite all the losing.
“I’ve been here for three years. We haven’t won many games,” Wilson said. “I haven’t had the season that I had hoped. For them to still come in here and believe in me and say, ‘Hey, we think you can be a part of the successful side of this thing for years to come,’ is awesome.”
