The amount of time Sauce Gardner spent with Davante Adams doesn't compare to the eight seasons the receiver played with Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay.
But the two-time All-Pro Jets cornerback remembers forming a “really great” bond with Adams at the Pro Bowl two years ago. Adams listed the Jets as one of his potential destinations after requesting a trade from the Raiders earlier this week.
Gardner did not want to address the trade rumors other than to say, “I know the coaches and the front office are going to do whatever they think is best for the team.”
Still, he spoke glowingly about the 31-year-old Adams, who is expected to miss his second consecutive game in Las Vegas this week with a hamstring injury.
“I know Aaron and Davante have a great relationship, and me and Davante had a pretty great relationship,” Gardner told the Post before Thursday's practice at Florham Park. “We spent a lot of time together at the Pro Bowl and talked to each other. I remember my rookie year. [in 2022]we talked a lot.
“And when we were just doing walk-throughs in the red zone, I was really trying to get up against him as much as I could in practice. I tried to really watch him run routes. He's a great player, a good person, and no matter what happened. [the trade request] happen. ”
Meanwhile, Gardner and the Jets are scheduled to face another top receiver, Justin Jefferson, in London on Sunday. Justin Jefferson had 358 receiving yards and four touchdowns during the Vikings' 4-0 start.
As a rookie, Gardner limited Jefferson to 45 receiving yards in a loss against Minnesota in December 2022.
“Yeah, he can do it all. Elite route runner, he's got elite hands. He's a competitor. He's got confidence. He's everything you want in a receiver,” Gardner said. Ta. “Obviously I haven't played against him in years, but I still remember what it was like to play against him.
“We were really competitive. Me, him, DJ [Reed, Jets cornerback]And now they've got a guy like [Jordan] Addison, on the other hand, can complement him well and even seems a little similar to him in terms of how he runs routes. ”
As Gardner said, each week is a “new challenge” and “almost every team” has a true No. 1 receiver.
He also noted that top receivers are generally paid more than elite cornerbacks in the NFL.
Jefferson is making $35 million this year and is one of six receivers making more than $30 million. Jalen Ramsey and Patrick Surtain II each make about $24 million for leading corners.
That is, at least until Gardner, who is still on his rookie contract, will earn $8.36 million this year, becomes eligible in the offseason and benefits from a huge contract extension.
“Man, I love a challenge and I’m not the only one. DJs as well, we love competing against the best. [Jefferson] It’s definitely one of the best,” Gardner said. “When you look at how corners and receivers are paid, it's very different and I don't think there should be that much difference.
“I think corner is the hardest position to play. I don’t think receivers are the hardest position to play, but they [are] receiving a lot of money. It's one of those things, so I love competing against guys like that. ”
Gardner and the defense will also face former Jets quarterback Sam Darnold. The 2018 No. 3 overall pick was traded in 2021, a year before Gardner was selected No. 4 overall.
Darnold, 27, is reborn with the Vikings after stints with the Panthers and 49ers.
He entered Sunday's game throwing for 932 yards and a league-high 11 touchdowns.
“He looks confident to me, that's the first thing I see. He seems really confident,” Gardner said. “Obviously, he's got some pretty elite guys around him. But I've been watching his film from when he was here, and it doesn't look the same as it does now.
“Those guys around him have definitely helped bring his identity to life. It definitely wasn't the same when he was here. And that's great for him. This week. We must do our best to stop them.”
