Sauce Gardner Says He Won't Tell Bengals' Tee Higgins to Join Jets in NFL Free Agency

New York Jets star cornerback Sauce Gardner isn't planning on recruiting Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins ahead of his impending free agency.

"PAY THE MAN," Gardner commented under an Instagram post from Higgins on Sunday, as the wideout is set to become a free agent at the end of the season.

When a fan asked him to attempt to sway the Bengals receiver to come to New York, he declined.

Gardner later clarified on his Instagram story that he made the comments about Higgins' free agency because he believes that there is "no chance of it happening," as New York already has Davante Adams and Garrett Wilson.

The two-time Pro Bowl corner, who spent his college career at Cincinnati, previously advocated for the Jets to sign Higgins following the 2023 season.

The 25-year-old eventually received the franchise tag from the Bengals, though.

New York has its own wide receiver situation to deal with, as the future is uncertain for the team's current duo of Adams and Wilson.

Adams is under contract next season but his deal must be renegotiated due to a prohibitive base salary of a non-guaranteed $35.6 million (h/t ESPN's Rich Cimini). If his contract isn't restructured, the six-time Pro Bowl receiver will be released.

Wilson, the 2022 Offensive Rookie of the Year, will be eligible for an extension once the regular season comes to a close. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported on Sunday that Wilson has been "frustrated at the lack of looks" he's generated from Aaron Rodgers, clouding his long-term outlook with the team.

Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow has expressed optimism that Higgins will re-sign with Cincinnati during the offseason.

"Those discussions are ongoing," Burrow said on Dec. 9, per ESPN's Ben Baby. "I'm confident that I think we're going to do what it takes to bring Tee back. I know that I'm going to do what it takes to get him back and so is he. We've had those talks. Those are going to be offseason discussions. But I think we're excited about that opportunity."

The former second-round pick has put together an impressive 2024 campaign, hauling in 69 receptions for 858 yards and a career-high 10 touchdowns in 11 games.

Higgins should receive interest from multiple teams once he hits free agency, but don't expect Gardner to be part of the recruiting effort.