Jets star Sauce Gardner eyes spot on 2028 Team USA flag football team

Bryan Perez

Jets star Sauce Gardner eyes spot on 2028 Team USA flag football team image

NFL owners permitted the league's players to be a part of the Team USA 2028 Summer Olympics flag football team in Los Angeles during a vote at the Spring League Meeting.

But, there's a catch.

Only one player from each team will be allowed to participate, and for the New York Jets, who have a plethora of talented skill players who'd make nasty flag football players, it could come down to a debate between Ahmad 'Sauce' Gardner and Garrett Wilson.

Gardner left little doubt on Thursday about his desire to fight for the Gold in L.A.

"I definitely would be interested in it, being able to play for my country," Gardner said. "Every time it's the Olympics, I'm always watching, I'm always tuned in. 

"It's definitely a big deal."

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Gardner reported to the Jets' mandatory minicamp despite jockeying for a new, massive contract extension, one he's certainly earned over his first three seasons in the NFL. He's widely regarded as the league's top shutdown cornerback, which will put him in line to reset the CB market. According to Spotrac, the highest annual average salary for cornerbacks currently sits at $30 million (Derek Stingley Jr.). Gardner, meanwhile, is set to make just over $8 million in 2025.

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Bryan Perez

Bryan Perez founded and has operated Bears Talk since 2021. Prior to that, he covered the Bears for USA Today’s Bears Wire and NBC Sports Chicago. In addition to his Chicago Bears coverage, Perez is a respected member of NFL Draft media and was a past winner of The Huddle's Mock Draft competition. Bryan's past life includes time as a Northeast scout for the CFL's Ottawa Redblacks.