The bottom line? Measures are being taken that demonstrate a commitment to winning.
There was an inkling that something was happening when Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner attended Jets minicamp in June. They could have held out in an attempt to get contract extensions.
Garrett Wilson (photo courtesy Jets Wire – USA Today)
Both made an impression on first-year Jets head coach Aaron Glenn, and much can be said about Wilson and Gardner making an impression on Glenn. However, you can also argue that the new Jets head coach had to sell himself to them.
Glenn’s minicamp went so well that the Jets heralded 2022 draft class members decided to sign their extensions this week, with training camp commencing next week. Yes, the Jets offered more money for them to stay: Wilson signed a four-year, $130 million contract extension, and Gardner signed a four-year, $120.4 million extension. Remember this, though: the Jets had previously struggled to sign players such as Jamal Adams to an extension, and eventually, they were traded for draft picks.
There was no doubt Wilson and Gardner had to be sold on their future with the Jets. Now that things are settled, everyone at Florham Park is banking on them to take the Jets to the playoffs frequently. The same can be said for a frustrated Jets fan base that wants a reversal of last year’s 5-12 showing.
Sauce Gardner (photo courtesy Gang Green Nation)
Hiring Glenn was the first step in flipping that script. He’s a head coach who commands attention, demands respect, and understands what it takes to survive in New York, which includes avoiding distractions and sideshows (AKA Aaron Rodgers).
Settling in with Wilson and Gardner came next. So, Glenn and Jets general manager Darren Mougey went to great lengths to appease Wilson by signing his college football teammate, Justin Fields, who frequently targeted the Jets receiver at Ohio State. It also helps that Fields has potential at quarterback, where he can shine by playing with Wilson.
Meanwhile, Gardner–who got torched by wide receivers last season–should fare well under Glenn, who played CB for the Jets in the ’90s. Expect to see Gardner be used as a ball-hawker in Defensive Coordinator Steve Wilks’ system.
The bottom line is that measures are being taken that demonstrate a commitment to winning. Minicamp showed that. Plenty of hitting and work were on the agenda. Plus, with Rodgers gone and Gardner and Wilson staying long-term, Glenn is on his way to building something special.
