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Rich Cimini
Another day, another major contract extension for the New York Jets.
Twenty-four hours after reaching a long-term contract extension with wide receiver Garrett Wilson, the Jets rewarded star cornerback Sauce Gardner with a record-setting contract — a four-year, $120.4 million extension, sources said Tuesday.
The contract includes $85.653 million guaranteed, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The two-time All-Pro becomes the NFL’s highest-paid cornerback, based on average salary per year ($30.1 million). He surpasses Houston Texans star Derek Stingley Jr., who received a three-year, $90 million extension in March. Stingley was drafted third overall in 2022, one spot ahead of Gardner.
Gardner posted to X, “this only the beginning,” and thanked his brother, Allante Gardner, and AJ Vaynerchuk, who represent him, and the Jets and their fans.
THE DEAL IS DONE? this only the beginning. my brother @allantegardner bts & @ajv got it done. I appreciate the Jets organization for believing in me, my teammates for the blood, sweat, & tears we put in, and JETS NATION… I appreciate y’all supporting me? Thank you GOD? pic.twitter.com/1qsiT3Xga3
— SAUCE GARDNER (@iamSauceGardner) July 15, 2025
Sauce Gardner had two years remaining on his rookie contract, including his fifth-year option in 2026 ($20.2 million guaranteed).
The Jets have now secured two foundational players through 2030, taking a proactive approach seldom seen with past stars in the franchise’s history. Gardner and Wilson became the first two former first-round picks under the NFL’s current financial system, which went into effect in 2011, to receive extensions in their first year of eligibility (after three years).
Gardner becomes the first Jets player since linebacker C.J. Mosley to be the highest paid in the league at his respective position. In 2019, Mosley signed a five-year, $85 million contract as a free agent. His $17 million-a-year average held the top spot among off-ball linebackers for four months.
Gardner, 24, made it clear at the recent minicamp that he wanted to remain with the Jets long term.
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“I want to change the organization,” he said. “I want to be a part of changing the organization.”
The Jets’ new regime, headed by coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey, stated from the outset that its goal was to keep the top young players, something pasts regimes have failed to do.
Gardner made an immediate impact, capturing NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2022. He’s the only cornerback since the NFL-AFL merger in 1970 to be named first-team All-Pro in each of his first two seasons. Only two other defensive players have pulled that off: former
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Daniel Oyefusi
Cleveland Browns rookie running back Quinshon Judkins was arrested on a domestic violence and battery charge in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Saturday, according to the Fort Lauderdale Police Department and Broward County arrest records.
The 21-year-old Judkins had his initial court appearance Sunday morning, and his bond was set at $2,500. The charge is described as “touch or strike/battery/domestic violence,” according to the arrest records. The charge is a misdemeanor, Fort Lauderdale Police Sgt. David Soika told ESPN.
CBS News Miami reported Sunday that the judge at the bond hearing ordered that Judkins have no contact with the woman who is accusing him and that he is not allowed to have access to firearms. Judkins left the Broward County Jail on Sunday afternoon.
Soika said officers responded to a residence at approximately 9 a.m. ET on Saturday on a delayed battery complaint and determined that battery had occurred, after which they contacted Judkins and took him into custody.
According to the arrest report, the alleged incident happened last Monday but wasn’t reported until Saturday. Per the arrest report, Judkins, after showing frustration following reading text messages from his family, allegedly punched the woman with a closed fist in the chin/lip area while driving in a vehicle departing from Fort Lauderdale International Airport. Judkins then later allegedly also struck her in the left arm and thigh. The woman showed officers photographs showing bruising from the alleged assault.
Asked why she waited to report the alleged assault, the woman said, “she felt bad due to the recent success and career of the defendant.” However, after speaking with family and friends she contacted police, realizing “something needed to be done.” The woman said she and Judkins were currently in a romantic relationship after rekindling their relationship in June 2025.
Judkins, meanwhile, invoked his Miranda rights when asked questions with officers, per the arrest report.
The Browns said they are “aware and gathering more details,” according to a team spokesperson. The NFL is “aware of the matter but will decline further comment,” a league official told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Cleveland selected Judkins, a former Ole Miss and Ohio State standout, with the No. 36 pick in the 2025 draft. He is the lone member of the Browns’ seven-player draft who has not signed his rookie contract.
Browns rookies report for training camp Friday.
Field Level Media contributed to this report.
Christian McCaffrey and Olivia Culpo welcomed their first child.
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The San Francisco 49ers star running back and former Miss Universe announced the news in a joint Instagram post on Sunday. The black-and-white photo collage included images of the couple in the delivery room as well each of them cradling their baby.
McCaffrey and Culpo announced in March that they were expecting.
“Colette Annalise McCaffrey” the couple wrote together on Instagram.
Culpo posted a photo of McCaffrey with their baby on her Instagram story, captioning it: “Colette is so lucky to have the best daddy in the world. A love like no other.”
She also added a photo of McCaffrey consoling Culpo while in the delivery room, writing: “The scariest and most rewarding of all experiences. As soon as he came into the room I felt most at peace.”
McCaffrey and Culpo married in June 2024.
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Xuan Thai
Florida authorities brought state grand theft charges this week against the former Jacksonville Jaguars employee who stole more than $22 million from the team while feeding his gambling habit, according to state records.
Amit Patel, 32, is already serving a 6½-year sentence at Williamsburg federal prison in South Carolina after pleading guilty in December 2023 to wire fraud and illegal monetary transactions. Now, he faces six counts of grand theft in Florida. Under state law, grand theft of $100,000 or more is a first-degree felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison.
Patel admitted to stealing from the Jaguars over 3½ years while managing the team’s virtual credit card program. Federal prosecutors claimed Patel lived a “life of luxury” that included lavish vacations and the purchase of a high-end watch and sports memorabilia.
The Jaguars later sued Patel in Florida state court for $66.6 million in damages. That case is still pending.
In July 2024, Patel filed a lawsuit against FanDuel in federal court claiming the sportsbook “exploited” his gambling addiction and intentionally ignored its responsible gaming and anti-money-laundering protocols. According to court documents, he transferred approximately $20 million to FanDuel.
Patel has said he was previously diagnosed with a gambling disorder and was a preyed upon by the website operator, according to a court filing.
FanDuel has declined to comment on the lawsuit, citing company policy about discussing pending litigation.
A Jaguars spokesperson issued a statement Friday saying, “The Jaguars appreciate the state’s efforts to pursue justice. We remain diligent in the same pursuit.”
An attorney for Patel did not immediately respond to inquiries from ESPN.
ESPN staff writer David Purdum contributed to this report.