New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner, known for his confidence and skill, found he unusually short on words when asked about New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones after Wednesday’s joint practice. Despite his reputation as a talkative two-time All-Pro, Gardner struggled more with his response than he ever does against elite wide receivers.
When prompted for his thoughts on Jones, the often-outspoken Gardner hesitated before responding, “Uh, he’s a good quarterback, you feel me?” He recounted almost intercepting a pass intended for Wan’Dale Robinson during practice but then faltered, adding, “Man… The competitive period was very competitive, man. It was great. I had fun out there today, you know. Um… I don’t really know what to say.”
Gardner’s awkward response quickly went viral, sparking a wave of social media commentary. Acknowledging the buzz, Gardner took to social media to clarify, insisting that he had simply been distracted during the interview. “I said, ‘he’s a good quarterback,’ I just got a lil distracted with something mid-interview,” he wrote, adding, “chilllllllll.” He humorously noted, “So this is how memes are created,” as he shared a clip of himself searching for the right words during the interview.
Jones, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, has been a polarizing figure since he took over for Eli Manning. Despite a promising rookie season, his tenure has been marred by inconsistency, a revolving door of coaches, and a lack of support from the fanbase. His best season came in 2022 when he helped lead the Giants to a playoff berth, earning a four-year, $160 million extension in the process. However, a disappointing 2023 season ended with Jones suffering a season-ending ACL tear.
Jones returned to action in the preseason, but struggled, throwing two interceptions in his first game back. While the circumstances surrounding Jones’ career have been less than ideal—ranging from coaching changes to a shaky offensive line—Wednesday’s viral moment only adds to the scrutiny he faces.
Gardner, for his part, did compliment Jones, albeit in a roundabout way. But the awkward exchange may have added to Jones’s challenges in winning over Gotham’s loyal, yet critical, fanbase.
