After the New York Jets hired quarterback Justin Fields, two-time All-Pros Sauce Gardner urged on Aaron Glenn’s squad to “walk the walk.”
Though they rode a tide of hope and harbored Super Bowl dreams as they entered the season, the Jets tripped out the gate and sacked head coach Robert Saleh following Week 5 on way to a meager 5-12 mark. Aaron Rodgers fell short of expectations behind a leaky offensive line, and many of the players likewise lacked their best form.
This covers Gardner. Gardner became one of the top cornerbacks in the league almost right away after being chosen No. 4 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. Over his first two years in the NFL, he earned a two-time First-team All-Player; then, like the Jets generally, he suffered somewhat more in 2024.
By bringing in former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Fields, the Jets turned the page on the Rodgers era under a new head Coach Glenn. Gardner thinks the new-look Jets should be up and delivering in 2025. The dual-threat player agreed a two-year contract worth $40 million to join to New York.
“We have to be more aggressive,” Gardner told The Maddaton Sport U.S. just before The Madd Bowl. “We must be totally committed and deliver; you know, we cannot merely speak the walk. We are eager to go on and have a fantastic year since we have many brilliant and gifted men.
Gardner is still among the greatest cornerbacks in football, albeit a year below his high standards. Gardner’s down year would be a career year for most; last season he allowed just 33 catches and one touchdown.
There is hope restored in the Jets building as new head coach Glenn leaves his role as Detroit Lions defensive coordinator to take over the team he represented as a player. Playing under the genius of a plan that helped the Lions allow the second-lowest completion rate (62.8%) in the NFL and the second-lowest number of passing touchdowns (18) excites Gardner.
By bringing in former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Fields, the Jets turned the page on the Rodgers era under a new head Coach Glenn. Gardner thinks the new-look Jets should be up and delivering in 2025. The dual-threat player agreed a two-year contract worth $40 million to join to New York.
“We have to be more aggressive,” Gardner told The Maddaton Sport U.S. just before The Madd Bowl. “We must be totally committed and deliver; you know, we cannot merely speak the walk. We are eager to go on and have a fantastic year since we have many brilliant and gifted men.
Gardner is still among the greatest cornerbacks in football, albeit a year below his high standards. Gardner’s down year would be a career year for most; last season he allowed just 33 catches and one touchdown.
There is hope restored in the Jets building as new head coach Glenn leaves his role as Detroit Lions defensive coordinator to take over the team he represented as a player. Playing under the genius of a plan that helped the Lions allow the second-lowest completion rate (62.8%) in the NFL and the second-lowest number of passing touchdowns (18) excites Gardner.
Gardner looks forward playing under Glenn. One could say that excited is understated.
Man, starting to work excites me greatly. He developed a somewhat aggressive plan. He can get it mixed up. He does some very fascinating things; I’m simply excited to play under a coach and in a plan like that, in a system where we have resources and players to flourish and perform at our best. This year is going to be enjoyable.
Gardner might be simply happy to see the Jets headed ahead following a turbulent two-year run. Perhaps Gardner is happy the team has a fresh quarterback and head coach combo to build around. He is, however, most ready for Justin Fields, Aaron Glenn, and the Jets to be leaving 2024 behind.