WR Garrett Wilson, CB Sauce Gardner, and Edge Jermaine Johnson II to Be Locked Up Through 2026
On Monday, days before the 2025 NFL Draft, Jets general manager Darren Mougey confirmed the team’s plans to exercise the fifth-year options on three of their 2022 first-round picks — cornerback Sauce Gardner, wide receiver Garrett Wilson, and edge rusher Jermaine Johnson II. These three players are vital components of the Green & White’s young core.
“Yeah, we have time to make that decision, but I do anticipate exercising those fifth-year options on those players,” Mougey said at a press conference, who joined the Jets along with new head coach Aaron Glenn in January.
A Successful 2022 Draft
In the Jets’ standout 2022 draft, Gardner was selected with the No. 4 overall pick, Wilson at No. 10, and Johnson at No. 26. These picks have been key in the team’s progress over the past few seasons.
Gardner and Wilson are also eligible for long-term contract extensions, though Mougey clarified that contract negotiations are ongoing.
“I’m going to get through the draft, but in terms of contracts and extensions on any players, I’ll always keep that in-house, and we’ll keep those dealings in those discussions in-house,” he added.
According to NBCSports.com, if Gardner, Wilson, and Johnson don’t receive new contracts before then, Gardner’s 2026 base salary will be guaranteed at $20.1 million, Wilson’s at $16.8 million, and Johnson’s at $13.4 million.
Cornerstone Players
Sauce Gardner: A Rising Star
Drafted out of Cincinnati, Gardner quickly emerged as one of the NFL’s premier cornerbacks. He was named the 2022 Defensive Rookie of the Year and earned first-team All-Pro honors in both of his first two seasons. Over his 48-game career, he has accumulated 40 pass deflections and 181 tackles.
Gardner is set to pair with free-agent signee Brandon Stephens (6-1, 215 pounds) on the outside for the Jets’ defense next season.
“He’s a big, physical corner that can run, and he gives us a chance to have two big guys on the edge with him and Sauce to be disruptive and press coverage,” said Glenn, a former top cornerback himself, during the NFL Annual League Meeting. “The one thing he has to work on is creating turnovers. We will work on that. Having two big guys on the edges creates a lot of problems for an offense, so we want to utilize that as much as possible.”
Garrett Wilson: Offensive Leader
Wilson, a standout at Ohio State, has been the Jets’ leading receiver over the past three years, despite playing with multiple quarterbacks. He was named the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2022 and posted a career-high 101 receptions, 1,104 receiving yards, and 7 touchdowns in 2024.
Jermaine Johnson II: A Strong Future Ahead
The Jets traded up with Tennessee during the 2022 draft to select Johnson out of Florida State. In his second season, he found his stride, registering 7.5 sacks and earning Pro Bowl alternate honors. Unfortunately, his 2024 campaign was cut short by a torn Achilles tendon suffered in Week 2 against the Titans.
“Jermaine’s been doing a really good job,” Glenn said of Johnson during the NFL Annual League Meeting in Palm Beach, FL. “I’ve known him since he came out of college. We actually coached him in the Senior Bowl. I know exactly what he brings to the table. He is working his (butt) off to get to where he needs to be, and that player has a lot of confidence in who he is. We have a lot of confidence in him, so we’re looking forward to him getting back on the field.”
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