The Jacksonville Jaguars got ahead of the curve when they gave cornerback Tyson Campbell a contract extension in 2024. The decision raised eyebrows at the time because he was paid a premium despite the fact that he had never earned a Pro Bowl or All-Pro designation. However, the deal looks much better in light of the Sauce Gardner news.
The New York Jets just made Gardner the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL, giving him a deal that pays him an average of $30.1 million a year.
Gardner's deal surpasses the one fellow cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. signed earlier this year. Of course, both players have performed at a high level the past two seasons, so they deserve every penny they got.
Meanwhile, Campbell's annual average of $19.12 million sits at No. 11 on the list of the highest-paid corners. Granted, he isn't in the same echelon as either Gardner or Stingley, but the Jags deserve a bit of praise for having the foresight to give the former Georgia Bulldog a deal before the market exploded.
Related: AFC South quarterback rankings: Where does Trevor Lawrence stand?
Why the Jaguars got it rigth when they extended Tyson Campbell? What's next?
Of course, there's a reason why the Tyson Campbell deal currently doesn't look that great, and that's because he's dealt with a nagging hamstring injury the past two years. However, he's in a position to bounce back in 2025, and if he does, he'll validate the Jacksonville Jaguars' decision to give him an extension.
See, Campbell, a second-round pick in 2021, struggled early as a rookie but finished the season strong. By 2022, he had shown notable improvement and joined the conversation about the top-10 cornerbacks in the NFL. That year, he was tied for a team-high three interceptions and 15 passes defensed. Moreover, he gave up less than 10.0 yards per reception. Simply, the Plantation, Florida native was on his way to NFL stardom. But then, the injury bug struck.
The past two seasons, Campbell has sat out 11 games and wasn't at his best whenever he played. However, he appears to be as healthy as he's been in recent years, consistently getting praise from his teammates and coaches alike. Defensive end Josh Hines-Allen, in particular, gushed about his teammate's talent and progress during the offseason program.
Ultimately, Campbell must stay healthy in 2025, but if he does, he'll have a legitimate chance to re-join the top-10 conversation. Moreover, he'll vindicate the Jaguars for giving him a new deal when many observers thought they were out of their minds.