Gardner recently found himself scrolling through social media, and, honestly, it was a bit frustrating. He encountered criticism about his performance, memes poking fun at his errors, and hot takes questioning his skills.
For Gardner, it feels sometimes like the scrutiny doesn’t quite match the reality, especially given his stature as a player on the field. Yet he’s come to a realization—he’s starting to appreciate the conversation that comes with his position.
“Now I love it,” Gardner remarked after a Jets practice. “Everything I do is basically under a microscope, and I embrace that. I was just chatting with [nickelback Michael] Carter recently and we agreed, ‘Yeah, I set the bar high for myself. Every move is scrutinized, and I thrive on that.’ I love the challenge it brings.”
He acknowledges that this mindset didn’t come easily, but he’s grown to welcome it wholeheartedly. Last season was, by his standards, disappointing. Despite earning accolades in his first two years, he didn’t make the All-Pro teams last year.
When quarterbacks targeted Gardner, their passer rating was 86.9, a notable improvement from the previous two seasons, which stood at 62.7 and 80.5. He recorded a low number of pass breakups compared to his earlier performance, which only added to the negativity surrounding him.
His grade from Pro Football Focus dipped as well, dropping from 87.9 and 88.6 in the prior seasons to 70.2 last year. This decline fed into the external voices he encountered, but he’s finding it easier to manage that feedback now.
Entering his fourth season and fresh off a four-year, $120.4 million extension, Gardner anticipates increased attention and expectations. “This year,” he acknowledged, reflecting on past criticisms, “I used to wonder, ‘What’s going on?’ Now, I’m like, ‘Are you serious?’ I don’t let it bother me as much anymore. Early on, I’d take a step back and think about it, but now it’s not even on my radar.”
His shifts in perspective align with the coaching philosophy of new head coach Aaron Glenn, who emphasizes emotional maturity in dealing with external pressures. “People will always have opinions about your performance as an athlete. That’s just how it goes,” Glenn explained. “Expectations are part of the game, but you can’t hold yourself to anyone else’s standards above your own.”
“I think our players are beginning to get that message,” he continued. “This game won’t always be pretty, but you have to keep pushing forward regardless.”
For Gardner, that drive is becoming increasingly internalized. It’s no longer about the outside noise. “I always have a chip on my shoulder,” he said. “That’s just how I operate.”
