The New York Jets recently made Sauce Gardner the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history.
Now, they will demand he plays as such.
According to Rich Cimini of ESPN, Gardner will have an expanded role on defense this season.
“Gardner has quietly yearned to cover the opponents’ No. 1 receiver. In the previous defensive scheme, zone-based, he did it only a handful of times each season, mostly in the red zone. He said it might be in the new scheme, which is expected to rely heavily on man-to-man coverage. Gardner also said he might get some blitzing opportunities, which he relishes,” Cimini wrote.
Gardner entered the NFL with plenty of promise, and it didn’t take long before he proved why.
He ran away with Defensive Rookie of the Year and looked like a potential Defensive Player of the Year candidate.
He’s coming off a down season, but it’s hard to single him out after watching the whole defense take a big step back after head coach Robert Saleh was fired.
New head coach Aaron Glenn will most likely get things sorted out on that side of the ball, meaning that Gardner will be tasked with major responsibilities.
The Jets have struggled to get back to playoff contention, but other than last season, they’ve usually had one of the best defenses in the league.
Set to make $30.1 million per season, Gardner is looking to establish himself as one of the top defensive backs in the league, not only in his bank account but also on the field.
While the Jets should fare better on offense with Justin Fields at quarterback and a new offensive scheme, they will most likely only go as far as their defense can take them.
Gardner has the potential to be the best defensive player in the game and will now have the opportunity to prove that.
