Sauce Gardner Contract Overview
Sauce Gardner signed a four-year rookie contract with the New York Jets after being selected fourth overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. The deal is worth a total of $38.7 million, with $32 million fully guaranteed at signing. This contract structure includes a large signing bonus and significant roster bonuses designed to secure Gardner early in his career. The base salary for the first year was set at $1.3 million, with increases in later years. Gardner's contract is one of the highest-valued rookie deals for a cornerback in recent NFL history, reflecting his immediate impact and defensive dominance. Details are available on the OverTheCap contract page.
The guaranteed money in Gardner's deal includes the full signing bonus, the entire first-year roster bonus, and all base salary for the first season. The Jets structured the contract to minimize cap risk in the first two years while protecting Gardner with strong guarantees. The total guaranteed value at signing was approximately $32 million, making it one of the most protective rookie deals for a defensive player. The contract also includes escalators and incentives tied to Pro Bowl selections and All-Pro honors. Gardner's cap hit in the first season was roughly $4.1 million, rising significantly in later years as base salaries increase. The full breakdown is documented on the Spotrac contract details page.
Sauce Gardner Salary Breakdown
Sauce Gardner's base salary for the 2024 NFL season is $19.1 million, representing a significant jump from his rookie-year earnings. The 2025 base salary is projected to rise to $21.5 million, making him one of the highest-paid cornerbacks in the league. The contract includes a fifth-year option exercised by the Jets for the 2026 season, with a base salary of $24.1 million. The option year adds a new layer of financial commitment for New York while securing Gardner through his prime years. Gardner's cap number for 2024 is approximately $22.5 million, which includes base salary, prorated signing bonus, and roster bonus charges. The salary progression shows a deliberate design to front-load guarantees while managing cap space in the middle years. The latest figures are confirmed by the How Much Does He Make page.
The signing bonus for Sauce Gardner was $20.9 million, paid entirely at signing and fully guaranteed. The prorated signing bonus counts against the salary cap evenly across the first four years of the deal. In 2024, the prorated bonus charge is approximately $5.2 million, decreasing slightly in subsequent years. The roster bonus for 2024 was $3.5 million, paid if Gardner was on the active roster at the start of the league year. The contract also includes a $1 million roster bonus for 2025, structured to incentivize participation. Gardner's total cash earnings from the contract through 2025 exceed $50 million when including all guaranteed payments and bonuses. The cash flow details are tracked on the Captain Contract player page.
Sauce Gardner Contract Value and Guarantees
The total guaranteed money in Sauce Gardner's contract is $38.7 million, which includes the signing bonus, first-year roster bonus, and all base salary through the first season. The average annual value of the deal is approximately $9.7 million, placing Gardner among the top-paid cornerbacks