Former Jets star blasts 'embarrassing' Sauce Gardner

Per Ryan Chichester of Audacy, WFAN radio personality Chris McMonigle ripped certain New York Jets defensive players for "making business decisions" and lacking effort during the first half of the club's 37-20 loss at the Cleveland Browns this past Thursday. 

Former Jets quarterback and one-time NFL Most Valuable Player Boomer Esiason specifically called cornerback Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner out during Tuesday's edition of the WFAN "Boomer and Gio" program.

"Sauce Gardner against the Browns, for one, was kind of embarrassing," Esiason said, as shared by Lou DiPietro of Audacy. "If you really watch, there were four or five plays where he just wasn’t getting involved, but I get that – who wants to get hurt going into an offseason? Nobody, but that’s what happens when you have players deciding they don’t want to get involved."

While it's thought that Jets head coach Robert Saleh and his staff are safe heading into what is largely a meaningless Week 18 matchup at the 4-12 New England Patriots, it's believed club owner Woody Johnson could have second thoughts if it looks like the 6-10 team has quit on Saleh and company at Gillette Stadium. On Monday, Jets linebacker Quincy Williams insisted he and others inside the locker room are determined to end the franchise's 15-game losing streak to New England this coming Sunday. 

"Part of me says I don’t blame him, the last thing he wants to do is get hurt," Esiason added about Gardner. "This is the stuff you see now, and you’ll see it against the Patriots on Sunday. It’s disappointing, to say the least, but it’s what coaches have to deal with. Players won’t put themselves at risk unless they’re playing for something."

How Gardner and company respond to such takes could go a long way in determining if Saleh keeps his job following what became a disappointing season for a once-advertised Super Bowl contender.