NFL News: Futures of Garrett Wilson, Sauce Gardner with Jets are starting to take shape ahead of next season

The last few NFL seasons haven’t delivered the results the New York Jets were hoping for. Still, there have been some bright spots — chief among them, the addition of key talent to the roster. That’s why it’s crucial for the franchise to retain players of Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner’s caliber as they look to build a promising future.

In recent months, there have been several high-profile cases where star players were at serious risk of leaving due to unresolved contract situations. That’s why, in the Big Apple, the Jets are looking to get ahead of any potential setbacks.

Building a competitive roster around Wilson and Gardner is a must, and talks about their contract extensions are gradually starting to take shape. While it’s still early in the process, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler has started to share some details on the situation.

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

Sauce Gardner #1 of the New York Jets looks on during warm ups prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on October 20, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

It’s worth noting that both the wide receiver and the cornerback have repeatedly expressed their desire to remain in New York for the long haul.

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Gardner explained why he didn’t hold out

It’s not uncommon for contract disputes to reach a point where players choose not to report to training until their situation is resolved — a move that some view as justified, while others strongly disagree with the approach.

Gardner’s talent has already earned him two Pro Bowl selections, and he knows his ceiling in the NFL is still far from reached. That’s why the former Cincinnati Bearcat has remained committed to staying alongside his teammates — even without a contract extension in place just yet.

“I just wanted to show my teammates, my coaches how much I want to win. I want to be part of change in the organization,” the talented cornerback stated via Zack Rosenblatt.

Garrett Wilson’s current situation

One of the AFC’s top receivers reportedly questioned his stay with the Jets if Aaron Rodgers somehow remained with the team. Since that didn’t happen, the player has decided to continue betting on the Jets.

Since entering the league, he has recorded over 1,000 yards, so it wouldn’t be surprising to hear that he’s now aiming for a lucrative contract extension—one that reflects his production. It will be a matter of waiting to see how these developments unfold in the coming weeks.