Indianapolis Colts have made a significant move in the NFL by acquiring cornerback Sauce Gardner from the New York Jets, as confirmed by a league source to The Athletic on Monday. This trade comes just hours before the team’s in-season trade deadline, marking a bold decision by the Colts. In exchange for Gardner, the Colts will send two first-round picks and wide receiver AD Mitchell to New York. Gardner, who is only 25 years old, has already earned accolades as a two-time first-team All-Pro and was initially drafted by the Jets in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Just minutes before the announcement of the trade, Gardner expressed his sentiments on social media, stating, “New York it’s been real.” This message hinted at the unexpected nature of the trade, which has left many fans and analysts in shock.
The trade involving Sauce Gardner is particularly surprising given that the New York Jets had recently signed him to a record-breaking contract this summer. The organization had positioned Gardner as a cornerstone player, especially with a new regime taking charge. Despite this, general manager Darren Mougey ultimately determined that the two additional first-round picks from the Colts offered more strategic value to the team than retaining an All-Pro caliber cornerback.
This trade reflects a broader strategy from the Jets as they reevaluate their team amidst a disappointing 1-7 start to the season. The decision to part ways with Gardner signifies a shift towards rebuilding for the future, a future that may not include one of their best players. Although Gardner's statistics this season have not been overwhelmingly dominant—he has recorded zero interceptions—his overall performance tells a different story. He boasts an impressive average of 20.9 snaps per reception, the best among qualifying corners in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus. Additionally, his 9.5 snaps per target ranks him 11th in the league, indicating that he is seldom targeted and rarely allows receptions.
The Colts’ decision to acquire Sauce Gardner contrasts sharply with general manager Chris Ballard's historically conservative approach to the in-season trade deadline. Prior to this move, Ballard had only executed one in-season trade during his first eight years with the Colts, which occurred when running back Nyheim Hines requested a trade in 2022. However, Ballard seems to be embracing a more aggressive strategy in his ninth year as the Colts push for success.
After finishing the previous season with an 8-9 record, the Colts are currently enjoying a remarkable 7-2 start in the 2025 season and are leading the AFC standings. This performance positions them well for a potential playoff berth, marking their first postseason appearance since 2020 and aiming for their first AFC South title since 2014. The acquisition of Gardner signifies the Colts’ belief that they are on the brink of a Super Bowl run, indicating that they feel they are just one player away from maximizing a surprisingly strong season that has garnered attention across the NFL.
