New York Jets’ Sauce Gardner throws down challenge to Aaron Rodgers, ‘he might think…’

Sauce Gardner and Aaron Rodgers may no longer be teammates with the New York Jets, but that hasn’t stopped Gardner giving Rodgers some thought ahead of a new season.

The two were briefly teammates in an ultimately doomed run for the New York Jets in the last two seasons, and appear to have gained something of a mutual respect.

However, that could all come to an end this season, as Rodgers will face off against Gardner with his new team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, as part of his ‘revenge tour’, aided and abetted by the NFL schedule.

Never short of a quote or three, that’s prompted Gardner to speak out, and he sounds ready for the challenge.

Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images

Sauce Gardner looking forward to Week 1, awaits Rodgers face-off

Speaking on the Pat McAfee Show, Gardner expressed admiration for Rodgers, but also pulled no punches in showing his own level of confidence.

“I don’t care what people say about him; he’s a phenomenal person, there’s so much he has taught me as a player. Me playing cornerback, I am not thinking a quarterback can help me, you know?” said Gardner.

“I’m looking forward to it cause he might think he knows all the tendencies I have, but this offseason has been me not trying to give everything away. I’ve been trying to work on literally everything because I already know I’m about to go against a wizard Week 1. I already know what time it is.”

"Aaron Rodgers is a phenomenal person..

I'm looking forward to playing against him week one..

The Steelers got some DAWGS and I'm looking forward to the challenge" ~ @iamSauceGardner #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/MBXpeb1NaN
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) July 2, 2025

The former fourth overall pick, Gardner has started all three years of his career with the New York Jets, recording 40 pass deflections and three interceptions. Viewed as one of the better young corners in the league, playing Rodgers will be a significant challenge in an important year for the youngster.

Sauce Gardner’s future may be defined by 2025

The game against the Steelers, grudge match or otherwise, will represent the start of a huge year for Gardner. Despite some good performances, he still finds himself in a position of uncertainty. He’ll be playing out 2025 on his fifth-year option, and will therefore, as it stands, be a free agent after the season.

"I want to win, I want to change the organization, and I want to be a part of changing the organization"

Sauce Gardner on his future with the Jets pic.twitter.com/7bgsgHNOEH
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) June 12, 2025

When you couple that with a new coaching staff led by Aaron Glenn, Gardner will have something to prove this season. While he has largely been a talented and productive corner, it does feel as though he’s yet to fully ‘break out’, and doing so could see him in line for a huge contract at season’s end.

That could start with a top performance against Rodgers and the now hotly-tipped Steelers in the opening week.