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Sauce Gardner's trade history elevates the story. Alongside legends like Lawrence Taylor, Gardner is one of the few defensive players to earn All-Pro honors in each of his first two seasons. His trajectory was upward, marked by dominant play, high-profile recognition, and a reputation as one of the most formidable young defensive backs in football.
His reputation in the league and local area was immense. Buzz surrounding him was loud enough that his name was a fixture in NFL conversations. The Jets expressed love and admiration for him—they viewed Gardner as a franchise player. Yet, despite this, the team decided to part ways, indicating a shift in strategy or valuation.