ESPN's senior NFL insider, Adam Schefter, reported on Tuesday that the Jets and Gardner have reached an agreement on a four-year deal that ties him to the team for the next six seasons, through to 2030.
The deal is reportedly the same structure and length as wide receiver Garrett Wilson’s deal, announced on Monday.
Gardner’s deal includes $85,653 million guaranteed, with the total rising to $120.4 million.
The 24-year-old has been in the league for three seasons. He picked up a defensive rookie of the year award, along with two First-Team All-Pro selections, as well as a pair of appearances at the Pro Bowl. He has played in 48 of 51 possible games for the Jets, earning 128 solo tackles, as well as three interceptions. Gardner also has a forced fumble to his credit.
It has not been smooth sailing for the Jets since Gardner's arrival. They went 5-12 last year, missing out on the playoffs once again. They are, however, looking to build a team capable of being competitive in the AFC once again. Tying down two of their best players to contract extensions in the space of a day goes a long way in doing exatly that.