Back in 2022, the Houston Texans had an opportunity to get one of the best cornerbacks in the collegiate game.
They chose to go with LSU star Derek Stingley Jr. instead of Sauce Gardner.
That left the door open for the New York Jets to get the Cincinnati star with the next pick, the No. 4 selection.
It didn’t take long before Gardner impacted the league, running away with Defensive Rookie of the Year honors, making the Pro Bowl, and looking like a superstar.
On the other hand, Stingley had a more modest start to his career.
Now, they’re seemingly heading in opposing directions, with Stingley emerging as a star and Gardner struggling mightily.
To add insult to injury, an old clip of Jets then-HC Robert Saleh and GM Joe Douglas laughing at the Texans pick and celebrating that they got Gardner now went viral (via MLFootball).
??THE TABLES HAVE TURNED??
Video of former New York #Jets GM Joe Douglas and HC Robert Saleh YELLING AND LAUGHING because the #Texans drafted Derek Stingley Jr. and left them with Sauce Gardner.
Stingley has become an All-Pro & Gardner has struggled pic.twitter.com/Nnn0VoKZbT
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) December 16, 2024
Of course, neither Saleh nor Douglas are a part of the Jets organization anymore.
They’re not the only ones to blame for the team’s struggles, but, in hindsight, some of their decisions didn’t turn out to be that positive.
Gardner still has an opportunity to bounce back and return to his dominant ways from his rookie season; it’s too early to count him out, and he’s already shown what he’s capable of.
As for Stingley, the Texans organization deserves praise for recognizing the potential and not getting distracted by the hype.
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