What These Two Stars Contracts Means for the Other Jets 2022 Draft Picks
Last week, the New York Jets made two of the most significant long-term investments in franchise history, securing the future of their core by extending two of their brightest young stars. On July 14th, wide receiver Garrett Wilson agreed to a four-year, $130 million extension to keep him with the team through the 2030 season. Just one day later, on July 15th, cornerback Sauce Gardner followed suit, agreeing to a four-year, $120.1 million extension to also keep him with the team through the 2030 season. In total, the Jets committed over $250 million to lock their young stars in and set precedents for the market in the coming years.
However, the extensions do raise a key question: What does this mean for the rest of the 2022 draftees, specifically Jermaine Johnson and Breece Hall? While Gardner and Wilson are certainly the stars of the 2022 draft for the Jets, Johnson and Hall remain in limbo. The Jets decided to exercise Johnson’s fifth-year option to keep him locked in until 2026, and Hall will become a free agent at the end of the 2025 season. Both players have had major injuries since being drafted, and both have to prove themselves this season. While Johnson has an extra season to do so, Hall has to prove that he isn’t replaceable in the offensive scheme this season, or he risks having to find another home.
Since the Jets took the risk by giving out two major contracts, it’s currently hard to see them extending Johnson and Hall, or even giving Hall a new contract at the end of the season. Especially with the introduction of the backfield-by-committee approach this season, if second-year players Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis are able to perform well, the Jets may view Hall as replaceable. As for Johnson, there is a bit more of a flexible path. Only time will tell if he is able to return to the player he was before his Achilles injury derailed his 2024 season, and if he has it in him to lead the pass rush once again. With two massive contracts now on the books, this season is a big one for Johnson and Hall to prove that they belong with the Jets, just as long as Gardner and Wilson.
