Sauce Gardner is an American professional football cornerback for the New York Jets in the NFL. He was the No. 4 overall pick by the Jets in the 2022 NFL Draft. He became the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in his first season. Gardner played college football at Cincinnati.
Here, we bring Sauce Gardner’s net worth, contract, salary, career earnings, biography, girlfriend, and more.
Sauce Gardner’s Biography
| Full Name | Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | August 31, 2000 |
| Age | 24 |
| Education | University of Cincinnati, B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 6 ft 3 in |
| Weight | 190 lb |
| Turned Pro | 2022 |
| Net Worth | $15 million |
| Salary / Career Earnings | Avg. $8.36 M AAV, $28.18 M earned |
| Wife / Husband | Single |
| Instagram Profile | @saucegardner |
| Twitter Profile | @SauceGardner |
Early Career
Growing up in Detroit, Ahmad Gardner excelled at Martin Luther King Jr. High School as both a wide receiver and cornerback. His diverse skill set and love for dipping sauces earned him the nickname “Sauce” from a coach when he was just a teenager. Despite fierce competition, he became a top recruit and accepted a scholarship to the University of Cincinnati.
As a true freshman in 2019, Gardner impressed immediately, starting every game and earning Freshman All-American honors. Over three seasons with the Bearcats, he logged over a thousand coverage snaps without yielding a touchdown, piled up interceptions and sacks, and twice claimed first-team All-AAC recognition. His lockdown coverage skills and playmaking ability made him one of the most sought-after prospects in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Professional Career
The New York Jets selected Gardner with the fourth overall pick in 2022, making him the highest-ever draft choice in Cincinnati history. He wasted no time cementing his reputation, leading the league with 20 passes defended, hauling in two interceptions, and compiling 75 tackles as a rookie.
His standout play earned him the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year award and first-team All-Pro honors, a feat not accomplished by a rookie cornerback since 1981.
In his second season, Gardner continued dominating, securing another first-team All-Pro nod and a Pro Bowl selection. He finished 2023 with 57 tackles and 11 passes broken up, showcasing his ability to read quarterbacks and close on receivers.
Although he faced tougher challenges in 2024, he still recorded 49 tackles, one sack, and an interception, solidifying his status as one of the league’s elite corners heading into 2025.
Sauce Gardner’s Net Worth Details
Sauce Gardner’s net worth is estimated to be $15 million as of 2025.
Contract
Gardner signed a fully guaranteed four-year rookie contract worth $33,450,801 with the Jets in May 2022. The deal included a $21,507,856 signing bonus and averaged $8,362,700 per year. In April 2025, New York exercised his fifth-year option, setting his 2026 salary at $20,186,000 and ensuring he remains one of the highest-paid young cornerbacks in the league.
Salary
Under his rookie deal, Gardner’s base salaries climbed each season: $705,000 in 2022, $870,000 in 2023, $985,000 in 2024, and $1,100,000 in 2025. With prorated signing and roster bonuses added, his cap hits were $6,081,963, $7,602,454, $9,122,945, and $10,643,436 respectively. His cash payouts for those years were $22,212,852, $2,225,491, $3,745,982, and $5,266,473.
Career Earnings
| Year | Team | Cash Earned |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | New York Jets | $22,212,852 |
| 2023 | New York Jets | $2,225,491 |
| 2024 | New York Jets | $3,745,982 |
| 2025 | New York Jets | $5,266,473 |
| Total | $33,450,798 |
Career Stats
| Season | Team | GP | GS | Solo | Ast | Comb | Sacks | INT | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | New York Jets | 17 | 17 | 51 | 24 | 75 | 0.0 | 2 | 20 |
| 2023 | New York Jets | 16 | 16 | 41 | 16 | 57 | 0.0 | 0 | 11 |
| 2024 | New York Jets | 15 | 15 | 36 | 13 | 49 | 1.0 | 1 | 9 |
| Career | 48 | 48 | 128 | 53 | 181 | 1.0 | 3 | 40 |
FAQs
1. Who is Sauce Gardner and what is his professional background?
Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner is an American professional football cornerback for the New York Jets in the NFL. He played college football at the University of Cincinnati, was selected fourth overall in the 2022 NFL Draft, and earned NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in his first season.
2. What college did Gardner attend and when was he drafted into the NFL?
Gardner played three seasons of college football for the Cincinnati Bearcats from 2019 to 2021. He declared for the 2022 NFL Draft and was chosen by the New York Jets with the fourth overall pick in the first round.
3. What achievements has Gardner secured in his NFL career so far?
In his rookie season, Gardner started all 17 games, led the league with 20 passes defensed, registered 75 combined tackles, earned first-team All-Pro honors, won the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award, and received a Pro Bowl selection.
4. What are the details of Gardner’s rookie contract with the New York Jets?
Gardner signed a fully guaranteed four-year rookie contract with the Jets on May 7, 2022. The deal totals $33.45 million and includes an initial signing bonus of $21.5 million, reflecting his status as a top-five draft pick.
5. Has Gardner encountered any injuries during his career and what is his current health status?
Gardner suffered a hamstring injury late in a 2024 game against the Seattle Seahawks, which briefly sidelined him. He later confirmed he is at full health and returned to the starting lineup for the Jets’ Week 15 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
