Eagles Racing Clock After Sauce Gardner Sets Cornerback Contract Market

Eagles Racing Clock After Sauce Gardner Sets Cornerback Contract Market originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The cornerback market just exploded. The New York Jets signed Sauce Gardner to a four-year, $120.4 million extension with $85.653 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history. The deal surpasses Derek Stingley Jr.’s $30 million annual average and resets the entire market at the position.

For the Philadelphia Eagles, fresh off their Super Bowl victory, this creates both opportunity and urgency. The Eagles struck gold with their first two picks last season — cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, both Defensive Rookie of the Year finalists. DeJean didn’t allow a single touchdown on 68 targets and delivered an iconic Super Bowl pick-six off Patrick Mahomes, while Mitchell locked down receivers all season.

With both players on rookie contracts through 2027, the Eagles have a narrow window before facing extension decisions that could rival Gardner’s massive deal. But here’s where Howie Roseman’s magic comes into play.

Roseman has mastered the art of salary cap manipulation — converting base salaries into signing bonuses and using void years to spread commitments across future seasons. The results speak for themselves: Saquon Barkley’s 2025 cap hit is just $6.66 million despite his deal averaging more than $20 million per year, while Zack Baun counts only $4.39 million against a $17 million annual deal.

This aggressive restructuring works because the salary cap keeps rising — from $182.5 million in 2021 to $255.4 million in 2024. Roseman essentially takes interest-free loans against future cap increases, a strategy many conservative owners won’t embrace but Jeffrey Lurie fully supports.

The Eagles have already made strategic moves for flexibility, releasing veteran Darius Slay to save $4.3 million in 2025 and $17.8 million in 2026. Sitting on $30.8 million in cap space with their core consuming just 44% of the cap, Philadelphia still has room to maneuver.

Gardner’s deal creates fascinating dynamics for the Eagles. Outside corners command significantly more money than slot players — only two of the NFL’s 20 highest-paid corners primarily play nickel. This benefits DeJean, who’s being evaluated at outside corner during OTAs, potentially boosting his market value alongside his natural slot role.

The Eagles have nearly $400 million in salary cap dollars pushed into void years across their roster, underscoring their all-in approach. While this creates future obligations, it maximizes their current championship window — a strategy validated by their recent Super Bowl triumph.

The timing decision looms large. Extending Mitchell and DeJean before 2026 would secure them ahead of free agency but likely at current market rates. With Gardner resetting the market at $30 million per year, waiting could prove costly. However, if anyone can navigate these financial waters while keeping a championship roster together, it’s Roseman.

The question isn’t whether the Eagles can afford to pay their star cornerbacks — it’s whether they can afford not to. With the market now established at historic levels, Philadelphia’s window to secure its young core at manageable rates is closing fast. But with Roseman’s proven track record and Lurie’s willingness to spend, Eagles fans have every reason to believe their defensive foundation will remain intact.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 16, 2025, where it first appeared.

Eagles Racing Clock After Sauce Gardner Sets Cornerback Contract Market

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