Jets Insider: Garrett Wilson's Contract 'Complicated' Compared to Sauce Gardner's

Both New York Jets' cornerback Sauce Gardner and wideout Garrett Wilson are eligible for long-term extensions this offseason, though one deal may be a bit easier to negotiate than the other.

According to SNY's Connor Hughes, "Sources agreed: Gardner is a far simpler deal. He'll reset the cornerback market as the highest-paid player because the two-time All-Pro First Team selection is (arguably) the NFL's top corner. Wilson is a bit more complicated. He's a tremendous player, but is he the fifth-best receiver in the NFL? Lower? Higher? How does Wilson view himself compared to the Jets? That one could take a little more time."

And Wilson reportedly wants to sign an extension with the Jets, though it won't come cheap:

Wilson, despite having shoddy quarterback play for most of his time in New York—and just one season with Aaron Rodgers, who seemed to funnel targets to Davante Adams once he was acquired in a trade—has posted three straight 1,000-yard seasons. But whether he's ever reached the truly elite at his position is another debate entirely.

Gardner, on the other hand, is already considered one of the truly lockdown corners in the NFL, even after he had something of a down year in 2024 (his 49 tackles and nine passes defensed were career lows).

Gardner's down years are still better than most cornerbacks' best seasons, however. He's going to get paid in a major way whenever he and the Jets' sit down at the negotiating table. Wilson will too, but his market value is a bit more cloudy.