Sauce Gardner says he’s being targeted by the officials.

Gardner, following the New York Jets’ 27-21 loss to the Miami Dolphins on Monday night, lit up the referees for what he felt were biased calls against him and his teammates. Most notably, the cornerback was called for a big pass interference penalty in the third quarter of Monday’s contest at Hard Rock Stadium, which helped set up a Dolphins touchdown.

The NFL, however, is unlikely to remain silent on the matter. Historically, the league has fined players who openly criticize officiating, framing such comments as damaging to the integrity of the game. Gardner could face financial penalties for his “loser tax” accusations, but that hasn’t stopped the story from gaining traction. In fact, the controversy may force the league to address larger concerns about officiating consistency, particularly as the number of penalties across the NFL has risen this season. Critics argue that games are being decided less by talent and more by yellow flags, and Gardner’s blunt remarks have brought that issue to the forefront.

The Jets’ loss to the Dolphins is just one chapter in what has become a season of frustration for New York. Yet Gardner’s boldness has made him the voice of fans who feel powerless against a league that often seems stacked against struggling teams. Whether or not the NFL acknowledges his claims, the phrase “loser tax” has already entered the conversation as a symbolic indictment of how officiating can tilt the balance of games. For Jets supporters, it’s not just about penalties—it’s about respect, fairness, and the right to compete on equal terms regardless of win-loss record.

But it’s not an issue with Gardner, one of the better cornerbacks in the league, specifically. He says he thinks he and the Jets are getting called for more penalties because they keep losing games.

“I’m personally frustrated,” Gardner said. “I feel like me personally, us not winning, I watch football all the time and I just feel like — I don’t know if this is wrong to say — but I think I get called for more stuff just based off of us just not winning.

“I watch these winning programs and there’s some egregious things and it don’t get called, letting the players play.”

Those comments are sure to lead to a fine from the NFL in the coming days.

Gardner, who is the highest-paid cornerback in the league, struggled Monday night. Outside of the pass interference call that helped lead to a Dolphins touchdown, Gardner allowed tight end Darren Waller to catch a touchdown on fourth down early in the second quarter. That score, which put Miami up 10-0 at the time, was Waller’s first since 2023.

In total, the Jets were called for 13 penalties worth 101 yards Monday night. They had three turnovers and allowed De’Von Achane to run for 99 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries. The Dolphins, now 1-3, also lost Tyreek Hill to a brutal knee injury in the game.

Justin Fields went 20-of-27 passing for 226 yards with a touchdown. He also led the team on the ground with 81 rushing yards and a score on seven carries. Breece Hall had 81 yards on 14 carries, and Garrett Wilson had 82 yards and a touchdown on six catches.

Gardner had two total tackles in the loss. He’s up to 12 this season, his fourth in the league.

The New York Jets’ crushing loss to the Miami Dolphins has sparked more than just frustration in the locker room—it’s ignited a firestorm of controversy around the NFL’s officiating. At the heart of it all is star cornerback Sauce Gardner, who didn’t hold back in a post-game tirade that has since gone viral across social media. Gardner accused referees of targeting the Jets with an avalanche of penalty flags simply because the team is losing, dubbing it a “loser tax” that unfairly punishes struggling franchises. His explosive comments have left fans outraged, media buzzing, and the league under heavy scrutiny.

In the Jets’ latest meltdown, a game that was already slipping out of reach turned into a penalty-ridden nightmare. From questionable pass interference calls to flags on routine plays, the Jets were marched backward time and again, ultimately handing the Dolphins more opportunities to capitalize. Gardner, known for his physical style of play and fiery competitiveness, was flagged multiple times, including on critical drives where the Jets desperately needed stops. To him, it wasn’t just bad luck—it was part of a larger pattern. “They’re punishing us for losing,” Gardner declared. “If you’re not one of the league’s favorites, you don’t get the benefit of the doubt. You get taxed for struggling.”

The phrase “loser tax” instantly caught fire online, resonating with fans who have long complained about inconsistent officiating. Jets supporters, in particular, felt vindicated, pointing to years of questionable calls that seemed to go against their team at the worst possible moments. Social media lit up with hashtags blasting the NFL for “rigged” treatment of underperforming teams, while others argued that Gardner’s comments reflected a deeper truth about how star-driven and market-driven the league can be. In a sport where perception matters, the Jets’ losing record may indeed have influenced how referees viewed their players’ actions on the field.

Gardner’s frustration also shines a light on the fragile psychology of a team in turmoil. The Jets came into the season with high expectations, but injuries, inconsistency, and offensive struggles have derailed their campaign. For defensive leaders like Gardner, constantly battling uphill against both opponents and officiating calls creates a sense of helplessness. His emotional outburst after the Dolphins disaster was less about a single game and more about the feeling of systemic bias. Fans heard his passion and pain, and many have rallied behind him, turning his comments into a rallying cry against perceived league injustice.

As the season continues, all eyes will be on Gardner and the Jets to see if this confrontation with the league escalates or dies down. Will the referees double down on calling him tightly, or will his outburst prompt more balanced officiating? Will the NFL fine him into silence, or will his words inspire more players from struggling teams to speak up about what they perceive as unfair treatment? Whatever happens next, one thing is certain: Sauce Gardner’s fiery claim has struck a chord, turning a painful loss into a flashpoint that has shaken the league and ignited a debate about how games are truly decided in the NFL.

While it’s hard to know how real Gardner’s officiating claims are, he is right about one thing: The Jets aren’t winning. They are now 0-4 on the season, making them one of just three winless teams still in the league. The Jets haven’t made the playoffs since 2010, and they have only a single winning season since then. They hold just a 36-48 record since the start of the 2018 season, too, which is the worst record in the league in that span.