NFL

Jets sign CB Sauce Gardner to four-year, $120.4 million contract extension

The Jets are being proactive. One day after inking Garrett Wilson to a huge extension, New York locks up Gardner. This agreement makes Gardner the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL on a per-year basis.

Is this contract deserved? Well, there’s a couple of ways to look at it. Gardner, over his first two seasons in the league, was the best corner in football, bar none. However, coming off back-to-back first-team All-Pro honors, the 24-year-old took a step back last year. Gardner’s regression could’ve been due to the firing of Robert Saleh and a subsequent scheme change. Only his performance in the seasons ahead will tell us the true tale.

I’ve stated this before, but in today’s NFL cornerbacks are grossly underpaid relative to wide receivers. It wasn’t long ago that Gardner’s position was viewed as the fourth-most important in football, behind quarterback, left tackle, and edge defender, but the perceived value of wide receiver has raced past that of cornerback — and others. A pass-happy, offense-driven league is probably why, but that doesn’t make it correct. Practically every cornerback — save for Jaycee Horn — that breaks the bank will also become a bargain deal for their respective club. In this case, Gardner is no different.

In the future, the Cincinnati product will look to build on his career total of just three interceptions. Outside of that, though, Gardner is a premier talent that’s much deserving of this extension.

Grade: A-

Chiefs sign G Trey Smith to four-year, $94 million contract

Smith was originally scheduled to play on the franchise tag, a one-year, $23.4 million deal. This contract replaces that agreement and then some, as it makes Smith the highest-paid guard in NFL history.

The Chiefs need to fortify their offensive line, but I don’t think Smith is worth this deal. Franchise tagging the 26-year-old was already a questionable decision, and then quadrupling down on it by handing Smith this contract makes it even worse. Yes, Smith is young and a very good guard, but he’ll have to become great or even elite to make good on this pact.

From another angle, though, securing the services of a player like Smith through his prime is wise. Kansas City dealt Joe Thuney, a guard on the level of Smith, to the Bears this offseason, making it all the more vital to retain Smith. As long as the Chiefs remain in contention, protecting Patrick Mahomes will be of the utmost importance. Smith will obviously help with that, even if he doesn’t patrol the blindside.

Grade: C

NCAAF

2026 five-star LB Tyler Atkinson commits to Texas

Atkinson’s recruitment was the epitome of a new age, NIL-driven battle. Texas was in the rearview mirror for the linebacker’s services for most of his courting, but due to a lavish offer that came in late, the program won out. That’s not an attack on Atkinson — recruiting is the wild, wild west right now — but it’s fair to say that the Longhorns didn’t have the best relationship with Atkinson among his suitors. In fact, there was probably a program outside of his final top four that was ahead of Texas late in the process, but, as always, the almighty dollar got the job done.

That aside, Atkinson, the No. 9 recruit for 2026, is a huge get for the Longhorns. Surely Anthony Hill’s current success at the position for Texas helped in Atkinson’s recruitment. Texas isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

NBA

Hornets sign SF Drew Peterson to two-way contract

The Celtics non-tendered Peterson last month, making him an unrestricted free agent. That set the stage for this, a reunion between Peterson and Charles Lee, an assistant coach with the Celtics in the forward’s rookie season.

Already 25, it’s hard to gauge how much upside remains with Peterson, but he does offer a few semi-valuable skills. At 42.1 percent over his career, Peterson has shot the three ball fairly well in limited volume, and he’s a skilled passer for his size at 6-foot-9. Perhaps with an increase in minutes, Charlotte can unlock a diamond in the rough in Peterson.

Grade: C