The deadline for exercising fifth-year options for 2022 first-round draft picks is May 1.
However, the Jets have already decided to pick up all three of their 2022 player options.
On Monday, general manager Darren Mougey told reporters the Jets expected to exercise fifth-year options on cornerback Sauce Gardner, wide receiver Garrett Wilson, and pass rusher Jermaine Johnson.
“We have time to make that decision, but I do anticipate exercising those fifth-year options,” Mougey said.
It was a slam dunk that the Jets would exercise their fifth-year options on both Gardner and Wilson since they are arguably the team’s two best players. In his first three seasons in the league, Gardner has won the 2022 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, has been named to two All-Pro and two Pro Bowl teams, and has turned into one of the best cornerbacks in the league.
Gardner’s option since he was drafted fourth overall in the 2022 NFL Draft will be $20.1 million.
Despite the quarterback carousel the last three seasons, Wilson has been very productive. He has caught 279 passes for 3,249 yards and 14 touchdowns. Last season, Wilson finished with a career-high 101 receptions for 1,104 yards and seven touchdowns. Wilson was also named the 2022 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year after catching 83 receptions for 1,104 yards and four touchdowns.
There has been speculation about whether the Jets will give Gardner and/or Wilson a contract extension this offseason. However, Mougey and Jets coach Aaron Glenn have been on the job for less than three months and this week’s draft has been their top priority.
“I’m going to get through the draft, but in terms of contracts and extensions on any players, I’ll always keep that in house,” Mougey said. “We’ll keep those dealings and discussions in house.”
While the decision to pick up Gardner and Wilson’s fifth-year option was an easy one, that was not the case with Johnson. He is coming off a season-ending Achilles tear he suffered in Week 2 against the Titans.
Johnson was looking to improve upon his Pro Bowl season in 2023, in which he registered 7.5 sacks and was expected to be one of the young chess pieces on the Jets’ defense. His injury was significant because he forced Will McDonald and Quinnen Williams to take on more of the pass-rushing responsibility.
In their final 12 games of last season, the Jets registered 25 sacks, which was 25th in the league during that span.
“Jermaine has been doing a really good job,” Glenn said about Johnson at the NFL Annual Meetings last month. “I’ve been knowing him since he came out of college because we actually coached him in the Senior Bowl and I know exactly what he brings to the table.
“He is working his a-s off to get back to where he needs to be. That player has a lot of confidence in who he is and we have a lot of confidence in him. So, we are looking forward to him getting back on the field.”
