Sauce

Gardner

Reed has reliably manned the Jets’ defensive-right side of the field since 2021. But with a potential extension incoming for Sauce Gardner, the team recognizes it must move on from the 28-year-old Reed. Reed is expected to be one of the better free agents on the market this offseason. A new deal for Gardner is not immediately imminent; he has one year remaining on his contract and the Jets hold a fifth-year option. The deal, whenever it arrives, is expected to reset the cornerback market. Hughes notes that the Jets are likely to re-sign slot defensive back Isaiah Oliver after a successful first season in New York. Oliver played under new defensive coordinator Steve Wilks with the 49ers in 2023.

And so ends a rough year for the superstar corner. Gardner ends the year with nine pass breakups and one interception. That’s a career-low for him in pass breakups and total tackles (49). Worst of all, Gardner set a career-high in penalties. His 10 infractions doubled his previous high-water mark. The Jets will be overhauled this offseason with new faces in the front office and at head coach. The hope will be that a steady hand at head coach will get Sauce back on track next year.

Gardner aggravated his preexisting hamstring strain last week and the 4-12 Jets have no real reason to rush him back into action. He is highly unlikely to suit up against the Dolphins in a meaningless Week 18 game.

He only played in the first quarter. With the Jets going nowhere and trailing big early, there was little incentive to rush Gardner back in a lost season. It wouldn’t be surprising if he were shut down for the final week of the year.

Gardner was initially listed as a DNP for the third day in a row, but a correct was later issued, upgrading him to a limited practice on Friday. He still remains highly questionable for Week 17, but a return to practice at least gives him a shot at suiting up. The Jets are also hopeful that defensive tackle Quinnen Williams plays through his questionable tag.

Gardner missed Week 14 with a hamstring injury and was on the injury report leading up to Week 15 before being able to suit up. With near-freezing temperatures in New Jersey on Sunday, the Jets may be being cautious with their young quarterback, but Gardner is on the bench without a helmet and bundled up under a big jacket. Safety Tony Adams is also questionable to return to the game with an ankle injury. Those would be big losses for an already depleted Jets defense.

Gardner missed the Jets’ Week 14 overtime loss against the Dolphins, but will be back in action this Sunday against the Jaguars. With Gardner sidelined, the Jets secondary gave up 331 passing yards and two touchdowns to Miami. They shouldn’t have much problem shutting down Mac Jones and the Jacksonville passing offense in Week 15.

Gardner’s absence should create an even more favorable matchup for the Miami passing offense. The standout corner — who has struggled at times in 2024 — could reportedly miss more time with his hamstring injury. Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle should get a small boost with Gardner inactive.

Closing out another lost season, there’s zero shot the Jets push Gardner to play through the doubtful tag. He’s out for Week 14 and possibly longer. Gardner has just six pass breakups and no interceptions this year, but some of the league’s best corners have surprisingly low counting stats because opponents simply don’t throw their way. Gardner falls into that category. Tyreek Hill has been stuck in the WR2 ranks for most of the season. Though it’s hard to trust him as a WR1 for Week 14, the loss of Gardner makes the Jets matchup far less concerning for a player who still possesses elite talent.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler previously reported that Gardner’s status for Week 14 is “up in the air.” Losing Sauce would be a brutal blow to a Jets defense that has been in a tailspin since firing defensive-minded head coach Robert Saleh. Gardner has six pass breakups and one sack this year.