New York Jets fans are still reeling Tuesday morning after their horrific performance in Monday night’s 32-19 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the season opener.

What should have been the start of the Jets’ Aaron Rodgers era turned into a pathetic performance as the 49ers tore apart the Jets’ defensive strategy and forced huge gaps on their running backs and wide receivers while allowing New York a record eight consecutive scoring possessions.

But one question is on many fans’ minds: What happened to Sauce Gardner? The dominant cornerback was benched in the second quarter while 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy led the Niners down the field with a nearly flawless performance. Jets fans immediately took to social media to wonder what happened to Sauce – was he injured? And if not, why the heck wasn’t he in the game to stop Purdy from completing six of six passes during that drive? The situation was so bizarre that even ESPN’s Lisa Salters sought answers, reporting that Gardner was healthy and the injury had nothing to do with the situation.

TOO TIRED DURING THE FIRST GAME?

As it turns out, Sauce said he was “coming up for air,” which made fans angry, both at him and at head coach Robert Saleh’s puzzling decision to bench Sauce during that run — but is Gardner telling the truth, or is there another reason behind his absence?

“Sauce, what happened in the second quarter when you were out?” a reporter asked.

After a hesitant “Um…”, Sauce replied, “That was a tackle from me and I just had to catch my breath and shake it off,” and when asked if it was more than that, Gardner shook his head and said “no.”

The fact that Gardner said he needed NINE plays to catch his breath seemed a bit absurd to many Jets fans on social media.

Some said that’s what happens when stars sit on the bench during the preseason and don’t get to play often. Others argued that Gardner should have stepped in when the game turned to a crucial turning point: The Niners scored again while ESPN cameras continued to show Sauce on the sideline with his helmet in hand.

Others thought that Saleh might be punishing Gardner for missing some tackles before leaving the field.

Gardner finally returned just before halftime, but the damage was already done: The Niners led 16-7 and never relented as they exposed the Jets and head coach Robert Saleh as inferior and obviously too out of breath and exhausted to keep up.

Last night, the organization once again frustratingly proved that the Jets are going down.