NFL insider: Jets begin discussion with Garrett Wilson, Sauce Gardner on new contracts

The New York Jets are looking to lock down two of their biggest stars on either side of the football. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, both WR Garrett Wilson and CB Sauce Gardner have begun talks with the franchise regarding new contracts.

“I’m told they’ve had some preliminary talks, exchange of numbers, had all that fun stuff as far as new deals,” Fowler said during SportsCenter on Saturday morning. “They’ve got five-to-six weeks to see if they can come to an agreement before training camp.”

Wilson and Gardner are both entering their fourth season in the NFL, and their rookie deals will soon come to an end. Both players have proved themselves as big-time performers for the Jets and it’s likely they’ll get paid as such.

New York had high hopes for both of these players when they selected them during the 2022 NFL Draft. Gardner was selected with the No. 4 overall pick, while Wilson was selected 10th overall. In the three years since, both have lived up to the billing.

Since being drafted, Gardner has played 48 games for the Jets. During that time, he’s totaled 181 tackles (128 solo) to go with three interceptions, a sack and a forced fumble.

For Wilson, he’s pieced together three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons for New York. 2024 was his best so far statistically, as the former Ohio State Buckeyes star caught at least 100 passes for the first time in his career. He totaled 1,104 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, both of which are career-highs.

Jets head coach Aaron Glenn recently opened up regarding the contract situation with Gardner specifically. With Wilson being in the same position contract-wise, it wouldn’t be surprising if Glenn directed comments toward his star WR in a similar way.

“Here’s what I want Sauce to do, and here’s what I’ll talk to him about who, about who he needs to be,” Glenn said on Thursday, via the Jets’ team website. “When you do lead, just let your influence do all the talking. How do you operate in the huddle with the players in the locker room? That speaks more than the rah-rah guy, and he understands that, because influence, to me, is what, really, leadership is about.

“How do you influence your other teammates? How do you influence people around you, no matter what? And I think he’s done a really good job of that.”

With both players looking to embrace their new leadership roles and potentially have the contract to match, Wilson and Gardner will continue to prove themselves throughout the offseason. Whether it gets done in the five-to-six week timeframe that Fowler mentioned remains to be seen.