On The Horizon: Jets Have Decision To Make In Cornerback Room

Despite Sauce Gardner's safe roster spot, the future of the New York Jets cornerback room is one to watch over the next few months.

Author:
Nick Faria
Publish date:
Apr 30, 2024 4:26 PM EDT

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New York Jets

The New York Jets have a difficult decision to make heading into offseason workouts, and it has nothing to do with their offense or All-Pro defensive lineman.

When the Jets drafted CFL standout Qwan'tez Stiggers in the fifth round over the weekend, it appeared that they were acknowledging the very real situation they are about to be in.

Jets' defender Jermaine Johnson and Michael Carter II — © Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

You see, with All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner entering his third NFL season, he can begin negotiations on a new long-term contract to be added to his rookie deal. Gardner will expect to be the highest-paid cornerback in football, and rightfully so.

It's not Gardner's pending contract negotiation that's the difficult part, though. The difficult part is that he is not the only cornerback who needs a new deal next offseason.

Both D.J. Reed and slot superstar Michael Carter II have their current deals with the Jets expiring after the 2024 season. Reed will turn 28 by the time he potentially hits free agency next offseason, while Carter, the former fifth-round pick, is still only 25 years old.

While Gardner's contract extension could be pushed off for another year, the decision between Reed and Carter cannot. The only conceivable way the Jets can keep both at all is if they agree to a long-term extension during workouts with Carter - still on his rookie deal.

The prevailing theory is that it will be Carter who gets the extension over Reed. After all, despite being a highly productive player since signing a three-year contract with the Jets, the 5'9" outside corner was not a draft pick by the team.

Organizations will always hold more weight when it comes to the players that have worked out on the roster that they found in the draft.

With the selection of Stiggers, and backup Brandin Echols also set to hit free agency next season, the Jets are going to be at an impasse soon when it comes to their secondary.

Who they end up giving the long-term contracts to could very well determine the strength of the team over the coming years.