The New York Jets have given their young stars Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner long-term contracts. After all the years of chaos, the first building blocks of the new regime are in place. A commentary.

The New York Jets have sent a clear signal with the long-term, albeit costly, contract extensions for wide receiver Garrett Wilson and cornerback Sauce Gardner: the future belongs to the young core!

These decisions, which tie Wilson to “Gang Green” with a four-year, $130 million contract (with $90 million guaranteed) and Gardner with an NFL-record contract worth $120.4 million through 2030, are exactly the right move to finally bring stability and hope after years of instability and disappointment. Hope for a more successful future.

New York Jets: Rodgers signing the low point for now

The past offseasons have been a minefield of bad decisions for the Jets. The low point was undoubtedly the signing of Aaron Rodgers in 2023, which was hailed as a coup at the time but turned out to be a complete flop.

Rodgers, a future Hall of Famer, failed to deliver the turnaround that was hoped for, both on and off the field. His performances were disappointing (2024: QBR of 48.2, second-worst of his career), and tensions with young stars such as Wilson damaged team spirit.

Added to this were questionable decisions by then-general manager Joe Douglas, such as the chaotic dismissal of head coach Robert Saleh after week five of the preseason and an offense that almost completely collapsed in two years under offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett – notably a longtime Rodgers associate. Douglas’ dismissal was the logical consequence of a management team that had led the Jets into a dead end.

New York Jets: With Mougey and Glenn to the promised land?

With new leadership under head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey, the franchise is now taking a different path.

The contract extensions for Wilson and Gardner – both from the strong 2022 draft class – are a commitment to a sustainable strategy: retaining young, proven talent for the long term instead of relying on expensive, short-term solutions like Rodgers.

Wilson, who has consistently delivered over 1,000 receiving yards despite seven different quarterbacks in three years, and Gardner, who is considered one of the best cornerbacks in the league, are the foundation for a new era. Their contracts, which will not fully impact the cap until 2027, give the Jets financial flexibility to continue shaping the roster of the future.

The dismissal of Rodgers and the switch to Justin Fields, a quarterback with potential and a college history with Wilson, bring a breath of fresh air. Fields’ mobility and the offensive approach under Glenn, who wants to get the ball to Wilson “as often as possible,” could finally unleash the offense.

On defense, Gardner’s presence in a blitz-heavy scheme from Glenn and defensive coordinator Steve Wilks provides optimism — he can cover any receiver in the league one-on-one if he has to.

After years of one chaotic season after another – marked by injuries, a lack of team chemistry and dysfunctional leadership – these contracts offer a chance for stability. With Wilson and Gardner, the Jets have found two leaders in the draft who can change the culture not only on the field but also in the locker room.

If they can also deliver on this year’s draft picks, such as offensive tackle Armand Membou and tight end Mason Taylor, and Fields can revitalize the offense, the Jets could finally enjoy a peaceful and successful season in 2025.

It’s a bold move that shows the Jets are betting on the future. And this time, they’re betting on the right horses – their own.