The New York Jets invested heavily in Sauce Gardner, handing him a four-year, $120.4 million extension to anchor their secondary. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler ranked him as the fifth-best cornerback in the NFL entering 2025, but evaluators made it clear he’s a “polarizing” figure.

Some see top-five talent, while others believe his penalty issues and inconsistent play make him overrated. Last season, Gardner drew 10 flags, a sharp rise from his first two years combined.

Under new head coach Aaron Glenn, the hope is that Gardner can cut down on mistakes and become the shutdown presence the team envisioned when they drafted him.

But after Monday night’s 27-21 loss to the Miami Dolphins , Gardner voiced frustration with something beyond his control: the referees. Speaking with reporters, he s

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