New York Jets stars Sauce Gardner and Garrett Wilson reported to June 2025 minicamp amid contract talks, showing a team-first commitment for the 2024 season.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
In a league where contract disputes often lead to dramatic holdouts, the New York Jets got a major dose of good news on Monday. The team's two brightest young stars, cornerback Sauce Gardner and wide receiver Garrett Wilson, sent a powerful message by reporting on time for mandatory minicamp, even as their agents engage in preliminary extension talks with the front office. Their presence signals a team-first mentality and sets a professional tone under a new coaching regime desperate to right the ship.
Garrett Wilson is coming off his third consecutive 1,000-yard season, while the Jets are still searching for a reliable No. 2 receiver to line up opposite him.
While some players in their position might leverage a holdout, both Sauce Gardner and Garrett Wilson chose to be with their teammates on day one. This act of good faith is significant, as the Jets have officially begun preliminary discussions to make them cornerstones of the franchise for years to come. For Gardner, one of the league's truly elite shutdown corners, and Wilson, the engine of the Jets' passing attack, their attendance reinforces their leadership roles on a team looking for stability after a brutal 4-13 campaign.
Wilson's commitment is unquestioned, but the question of who will step up alongside him remains the team's biggest offensive puzzle. With Wilson locked in as the WR1, the depth chart behind him is in flux. Trade rumors continue to swirl around Allen Lazard, though a recent ESPN report suggests any potential deal wouldn't happen until the end of the preseason. This timeline gives unproven players on the roster a chance to make their case. Lazard, who struggled but saw better production with Aaron Rodgers, is more tradeable thanks to a restructured contract, but the Jets won't move him unless another option proves reliable.
All of this unfolds under the watch of a revamped coaching staff, led by new defensive coordinator Steve Wilks. The new regime is tasked with maximizing the talent on hand and changing the culture after last year's collapse. Their influence is already being seen in roster management, with the team signing guard Marquis Hayes and defensive end Kingsley Jonathan while waiving guard Zack Bailey and corner Tre. These moves, while minor, signal an ongoing effort to bolster depth and create competition across the board as the Jets look to build a more resilient roster for 2025.
With the team's foundational stars setting a professional tone, the focus now shifts to two key areas: the front office and the depth chart. The top priority is getting Gardner and Wilson signed to long-term extensions before training camp begins, eliminating any potential distractions. On the field, the battle for the WR2 spot will be the storyline to watch all summer, with the fate of Allen Lazard hanging in the balance until the final preseason cuts. For a team desperate to turn the page, today was a step in the right direction, but the most critical work is just beginning.
