4 Things Jets: Heading Into Camp with Sauce and Wilson

TWO YOUNG JETS STRIKE IT RICH
Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner (4^th) and Garrett Wilson (10^th) were both selected by the New York Jets in the Top 10 of the 2022 NFL Draft. Less than a year later, at the 2023 NFL Honors ceremony, they were both honored for their rookie accomplishments. Gardner winning AP Defensive Rookie of the Year and Wilson AP Offensive Rookie of the Year.

That’s why it makes sense that the two Jets signed lucrative, four-year contract extensions within 24 hours of each other. Gardner, 24, became the NFL’s highest paid corner at $30.1m per year, while Wilson, also 24, became the NFL’s fifth highest paid wide receiver at $32.5m per year.

As a famous superhero is fond of saying, “with great power comes great responsibility”. It is now up to this dynamic duo to take the next step in their development on the field and as leaders.

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SAUCE GARDNER
In his first two seasons, Gardner made the Pro Bowl and first-team All Pro. Other than Joe Namath, it’s hard to recall any other Jet becoming an NFL celebrity so quickly. While he didn’t “travel” he essentially shut down one side of the field while playing in 33 of his first 34 games.

Last season was a down year for Gardner, partially due to injuries that hobbled him for a portion of the season, and forced him to miss two games:

• 2022: 75 tackles, 51 solo, 2 interceptions
• 2023: 57 tackles, 41 solo, 0 interceptions
• 2024: 49 tackles, 36 solo and 1 interception.

Coming out of the University of Cincinnati, one of the only knocks against Gardner was that he was “handsy” and physical throughout his coverage. Despite that, he had only six accepted penalties in his first two seasons in the league. In 2024, that jumped to nine accepted penalties, plus he struggled with his tackling technique.

“Sauce didn’t tackle as good as he could have last season,” incoming Head Coach Aaron Glenn said, “but his first (two) years he tackled his a** off, so we know it’s in him, and he’s gonna get back to doing that”.

Needless to say, Glenn and General Manager Darren Mougey have done their homework, and remain convinced that Gardner will revert to his 2022/2023 form in the upcoming season.

Off the field, Gardner lives a slightly flashier lifestyle than Wilson. He’s dating rapper Ice Spice, and has over 1.5m followers on Instagram. However, while he does like to bask in the spotlight more than Wilson, he has flashed the same work ethic, and desire to pursue team success.

With the departure of veteran safeties Chuck Clark and Ashtyn Davis, defensive captain CJ Mosley, and his former running mate at corner DJ Reed, Gardner must also be ready to accept a greater leadership role in 2025.

Big picture, he has a desire to retire as one of the best ever and make it to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton. He’s already matched Jets’ legend Darrelle Revis in awards and money. Now, he needs to match him by leading the Jets to the playoffs and beyond.

GARRETT WILSON
Wilson has not missed a game in his NFL career and statistically been very consistent despite the constant turnover at quarterback. The only thing you’d like to see him improve on the field is his explosiveness, as his yards per catch has gone down three seasons in a row.

• 2022: 83 catches, 1103 yards, 4 TDs, 13.3 yards per catch
• 2023: 95 catches, 1042 yards, 3 TDs, 11.0 yards per catch
• 2024: 101 catches, 1104 yards, 7 TDs, 10.9 yards per catch

Wilson does not fall under the heading of “diva receiver”. From day one he’s talked about team goals and team success. The one thing off the field he needs to clean up is how he presents to his team and the public on the sideline. The cameras have caught him displaying poor body language in the past. It’s an emotional game, and he is a young man, but with Aaron Rodgers, Davante Adams, Tyron Smith, and Morgan Moses no longer on the offense, he is now the veteran player that others are going to look up to.

Since Glenn was hired, Wilson has been remarkably calm and confident in his offseason press conferences. Based on this interview alone, with New York Jets staff reporter Eric Allen, he seems ready to take on a greater role.

Wilson has the money, the status, and his Ohio State quarterback back in his huddle. The only thing he is missing is leading the Jets to the playoffs.

TRAINING CAMP WITH THE NEW YORK JETS
The rookies have already reported to camp while Gardner, Wilson and the other Jets’ veterans report on Tuesday, July 22. Here’s the other important dates as we countdown to NFL Kickoff 2025.

• Saturday, August 9 (8p ET) (Pre-Season) Jets at Green Bay Packers (CBS-TV)
• Tuesday, August 12 (10a ET) (Joint practice) New York Giants
• Saturday, August 16 (7p ET) (Pre-Season) Jets at Giants (CBS-TV)
• Friday, August 22 (7:30p ET) (Pre-Season) Philadelphia Eagles at Jets (CBS-TV)
• Sunday, September 7 (1p ET) (Opening Day) Pittsburgh Steelers at Jets (CBS-TV)

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