New York Jets cornerback Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner recently revealed that he and former teammate Aaron Rodgers “haven’t been in touch as much” as they were this offseason before Rodgers joined the Pittsburgh Steelers, in part because Gardner’s Jets will host Rodgers’ Steelers in Week 1 of the upcoming season.
During a Wednesday appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” Gardner opened up about the challenge that awaits the Jets defense.
“Watching the Steelers or somebody like Aaron, I can’t really study Aaron,” Gardner explained, as shared by Joe Clark of Steelers Depot. “Because he will show you the same exact tendency and do something totally different. So in terms of the Steelers, I would preferably study [offensive coordinator Arthur Smith], study the receivers, study the tight ends and stuff like that. Because you can’t really get a beat on Aaron like that. And that goes all the way back to when we played the Packers.”
Gardner was referencing how he helped the Jets earn a 27-10 win over Rodgers and the Packers in the fall of 2022 when Gardner was a rookie. Gardner celebrated that victory by rocking a cheesehead at Lambeau Field, something he later trolled Rodgers about before Gang Green acquired the future Hall of Famer from Green Bay in the spring of 2023.
“He might think he knows all the tendencies that I have, but this offseason has really been me trying not to give nothing away,” Gardner added about going up against the QB he faced in practices from 2023 through the 2024 season. “I’ve been trying to work on literally everything, because I already know I’m about to go against a wizard [in] Week 1.”
Despite Rodgers’ alleged reputation, Jets players such as running back Breece Hall and others have routinely defended and even praised the four-time MVP throughout 2025. Gardner echoed such comments on Wednesday.
“I don’t care what people say about him,” Gardner added. “He’s a phenomenal person. …There’s so much that he’s taught me as a player.”
Rodgers will look to teach Gardner a final lesson or two at MetLife Stadium on the first Sunday of September.
