New York Jets general manager Darren Mougey said Monday that he “anticipates” picking up the fifth-year contract options of wide receiver Garrett Wilson, cornerback Sauce Gardner, and edge rusher Jermaine Johnson for the 2026 season.
A decision does not have to be immediate, as the deadline to exercise those options is on May 1.
“We have time to make that decision,” Mougey said. “But I do anticipate exercising those fifth-year options on those players.”
Gardner will make an estimated $20.1 million after developing into one of the premier cornerbacks in the NFL. In his first three seasons, he is a two-time Pro Bowler, a two-time All-Pro, and the 2022 Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Wilson will be due $16.8 million, coming off a 2024 campaign in which he set a Jets franchise record with his third-straight 1,000-yard receiving season to start his career. He set career highs with 101 receptions for 1,104 yards and seven touchdowns.
Johnson will make $13.5 million, a showing of good faith from the organization after he suffered a season-ending Achilles tear in Week 2 last season. The injury stymied progress from a breakout 2023 campaign in which he racked up 7.5 sacks.
Any sort of talks regarding a contract extension for Wilson and Gardner will begin after the NFL Draft, which begins on Thursday. Johnson would have to show that he can return to form from his injury in order to create an avenue for long-term extension negotiations.
“I’m going to get through the draft,” Mougey said (h/t New York Post). “But in terms of contracts and extensions on any players, I’ll always keep that in house. And what we’ll do is we’ll keep those dealings in those discussions in-house.”
