How Jets' Steve Wilks is challenging Sauce Gardner to reach next level

New York Post

a day ago

New Jets defensive coordinator Steve Wilks gave cornerback Sauce Gardner a challenge when the two met after Wilks was hired.
'He's been a Pro Bowl player,' Wilks said. 'How consistent can he be to take it to another level? That's one of the things that I challenged him on Day 1 when we had our conversation. I felt like, and you guys feel the same way, that he's one of the top corners in the league, but that consistency of being that dominant player each and every week, that's what we're looking for and that's been his challenge this offseason.
'He's very gifted, and I told him sometimes your greatest strength is your greatest weakness. He's a guy that sometimes that 85 percent is still better than everybody around him, so his thing is, and I told him, compete against yourself. That's where he has to get better, which he will.'
Gardner was first-team All-Pro in his first two seasons but did not have as strong of a season last year. He is eligible for a contract extension, and the Jets face a major decision on how much to invest in the star corner. One knock on Gardner in his career has been his lack of interceptions.
Sauce Garnder runs a drill during Jets' minicamp practice on June 11, 2025.
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He has three in three years, including one last year. Wilks said Gardner is working on it.
'That's finishing as we talked about, and he's been working on that for us,' Wilks said. 'Taking more time with the Jugs [machine] and getting extra catches in and understanding how to catch the ball away from your body just like a receiver would do. But I always say this, and I know there's a lot of talk about him, but he's only going to be as good as the guys around him, so it's all about trying to make sure that we all, particularly on the back end, pushing in the same direction.'
Second-year WR Malachi Corley missed practice again Wednesday with an undisclosed injury.
Jets offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand talks with reporters on June 11, 2025.
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Corley has missed a lot of time this spring, and it could cost him in a tight competition at wide receiver.
Offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand said Corley will have to catch up in training camp.
'That's a great question really for him to ask, 'How do I get myself mentally caught back up, because I wasn't able to get the physical reps this spring?' ' Engstrand said. 'And ultimately, that's going to be what it is, because the other guys do, they have a handful of practices ahead of him and those physical reps. So, he's going to have to find a way to catch himself up with that stuff.'
Rookie WR Arian Smith also did not practice Wednesday.
LB Quincy Williams was on the field in uniform but did not participate in team drills.
QB Justin Fields said he plans on getting together with the wide receivers and tight ends during the break before training camp.