Wilson and Gardner buy into Glenn

Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner express faith in new Jets head coach Aaron Glenn by signing their contract extensions this week.

There was an inkling that something was happening when Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner attended Jets minicamp in June.

Both made an impression on first-year Jets head coach Aaron Glenn. They could have held out in an attempt to get contract extensions.

Much can be said about Wilson and Gardner making an impression on Glenn, but one can make a case that the new Jets head coach had to sell himself to them in terms of being the leader who could take them to great heights, such as making the playoffs and winning the Super Bowl.

Glenn’s minicamp went so well that the Jets heralded 2022 draft class members decided to sign their extensions this week, with training camp commencing next week. They had to love what their new head coach did for them to not wait anymore.

Yes. the Jets offered more money for them to stay. Wilson signed a four-year, $130 million contract extension, and Gardner signed a four-year, $120.4 million extension.

Remember this, though: The Jets struggled to sign guys such as Jamal Adams to an extension, and eventually, they were traded for draft picks.

This news aligns with Glenn signing a five-year deal to be the Jets head coach this offseason.

Wilson, Gardner and Glenn will dictate where the Jets go from here.

Everyone at Florham Park is banking on those three to take the Jets to the playoffs frequently. The same can be said for a frustrated Jets fan base.

There was no doubt Wilson and Gardner had to be sold on their future with the Jets.

Both were frustrated last season as the Jets bottomed out at 5-12, head coach Robert Saleh was fired after five games, and general manager Joe Douglas lost his job during the season. It was easy for them to wonder where the Jets were going. All they have done here is lose despite producing for Gang Green.

This is where the Jets got it right in hiring Glenn. They needed a head coach who would command attention and demand respect. They needed a coach who understands the responsibility of winning games in New York. They needed a no-nonsense coach. He fits all the criteria.

Glenn made a statement by deciding he wanted no part of coaching Rodgers. He did not want to deal with the sideshow that hurt the team last season.

This move pleased Wilson, who was unhappy playing with Rodgers. He did not like the Jets quarterback throwing to Davante Adams instead of him.

Glenn and Jets general manager Darren Mougey went to great lengths to appease Wilson by signing his college football teammate Justin Fields, who targeted the Jets receiver often at Ohio State.

It also helps that Fields has potential at quarterback, where he can shine by playing with Wilson.

Gardner struggled last season. He would get torched by wide receivers. He struggled to get interceptions. It could have been the coaching change that hurt him, and the losing that got to him.

He should fare well under Glenn. Remember, the Jets head coach was a cornerback for the team in the 90s, so this is where the current Jets cornerback can relate well to a past Jets cornerback.

Gardner will be utilized by being a ball-hawker often under the new Jets head coach and Jets defensive coordinator Steve Wilks.

Glenn’s attempt to change the culture sold Wilson and Gardner. The Jets head coach is committed to winning with the team. He knows the Jets fans are hungry for a winner, as he experienced that as a player. He has a strategy for achieving success based on his experience of playing here.

In minicamp, there was plenty of hitting and work. It wasn’t Club Med that took place under Saleh, who provided light work in training camp so the players’ bodies could be fresher for the entire regular season.

This turned out to be an epic fail for Saleh. The players were undisciplined based on the penalties they had in games.

This will not be a problem for Glenn. He is a detail-oriented coach who will demand the best out of his players. He may not be buddy-buddy, but he will be a player's coach that will be fair.

There’s no doubt Glenn knows what makes players tick. He was a successful NFL player, and he played for a great coach in Bill Parcells.

This explains why Wilson and Gardner have faith in Glenn that this can all work.

This is a great deal for the Jets since they were able to keep their two best players, who will be an integral part of what Glenn is doing as Jets head coach. Both re-upping with the Jets should be an endorsement of the new head coach.

With Gardner and Wilson staying long-term, not only does Glenn avoid distractions, but he can now start the process of building something special with the Jets along with his two core players.