New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner recently shared insights into the current state of his relationship with quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The two teammates spent two seasons together in New York, although Rodgers only returned to play in 2024 after an Achilles injury sidelined him in 2023. Rodgers later signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers following a difficult season for the Jets.
During the 2023 campaign, the Jets struggled significantly, managing only five wins while key figures such as head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas were dismissed amid the upheaval. The Jets ultimately chose Justin Fields as their starting quarterback under new coach Aaron Glenn, marking a fresh start, while Rodgers committed to the Steelers in the offseason.
When speaking with Complex, Gardner revealed that he and Rodgers have not maintained close contact since Rodgers’ departure.
“We haven’t been in touch as much,” Gardner said. “At the beginning of the offseason, we were more in touch. I think once there was really a reality that he was going to go to Pittsburgh, we just felt that we didn’t need to talk no more.
Gardner also commented on their upcoming Week 1 matchup, anticipating that they will reconnect then.
“I feel like we seen us having to play each other Week 1. We really just seen the future — I’m joking about that. But no, we haven’t really talked. We play each other Week 1. I’m sure we going to talk before that, and it’s going to be a good game,” he added.
Despite the previous injury, Aaron Rodgers completed 17 games in 2024 with notable statistics, including 368 completions on 584 attempts, nearly 3,900 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions.
Sauce Gardner Addresses Misconceptions and Challenges in His Career
Gardner also responded to criticism he faced after addressing “fake narratives” on social media. He described how early supporters shifted their opinions once he began to meet high expectations as a professional athlete.
“When you come in the league — so to give you the whole story — I went to Cincinnati. Obviously, I was the underdog. So when you the underdog, everybody wants to see you eat, everybody wants to see you succeed, till you get in the league. And it’s like, ‘Alright, yeah he gonna be nice, he gonna be nice,’ till you really turn out to be nice.”
Gardner noted that some fans who initially backed him eventually labeled him overrated and propagated misleading stories. Despite this, Gardner finished the 2024 season with solid defensive numbers, recording 49 tackles, one sack, and one interception over 15 games with the Jets.
Implications of Gardner and Rodgers’ Evolving Dynamic
The shift in the Sauce Gardner Aaron Rodgers relationship highlights how team changes impact player interactions. Their lack of communication after Rodgers’ move to the Steelers contrasts with the camaraderie they shared during their time in New York. As they prepare to face each other in the upcoming season opener, their renewed dialogue may bring added intensity to the game. Gardner’s reflections on criticism also illustrate the pressures players face when rising stars turn potential into performance, drawing mixed reactions from fans and media alike.
Looking ahead, this evolving dynamic between Gardner and Rodgers could shape future encounters between the Jets and Steelers, making their Week 1 game one to watch closely for both personal and competitive reasons.