In one of the most stunning moves of the NFL trade deadline, the New York Jets have traded star cornerback Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for two first-round draft picks and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell, according to multiple reports.
The trade comes just months after Gardner signed a massive four-year, $120.4 million extension with New York, making him one of the highest-paid cornerbacks in league history at $30.1 million annually. His departure marks a dramatic shift for a Jets franchise that entered a rebuild under new general manager Darren Mougey following a 1-7 start to the season.
Ex-Jets DB Kerry Rhodes Reacts as Jets Send Star Corner Sauce Gardner to Colts
ESPN’s Rich Cimini, who covers the Jets, captured the league-wide shock in his reaction, “An absolute stunner. Gardner traded to the Colts.”
The 24-year-old cornerback, drafted No. 4 overall in 2022, quickly became the face of New York’s defense. He was named Defensive Rookie of the Year, earned First-Team All-Pro honors in each of his first two seasons, and built a reputation as one of the league’s premier shutdown corners.
While many around the league were stunned, one former Jet offered a contrarian take. Former New York star Kerry Rhodes responded to Cimini’s post with a bold statement in defense of the move:
“Not a stunner. He’s not a shut down corner. He’s a good player but this is a great move for the Jets! Two first rounders for Sauce is a steal for the Jets if they use the picks correctly. And the Colts are in win now mode! It can be good for both teams.”
Not a stunner. He’s not a shut down corner. Hes a good player but this is a great move for the Jets! Two first rounders for sauce is a steal for the Jets if they use the picks correctly. And the colts are in win now mode! It can be good for both teams
— Kerry Rhodes (@Kerry25Rhodes) November 4, 2025
Rhodes’ perspective sheds light on the broader context behind the deal. With the Jets languishing near the bottom of the AFC standings, capitalizing on Gardner’s trade value could accelerate their rebuild. New York now holds multiple premium picks over the subsequent two drafts, giving Mougey flexibility to restock key positions, particularly quarterback and offensive line, ahead of the 2026 season.
For Indianapolis, meanwhile, this is a clear win-now statement. The 7–2 Colts sit atop the AFC South and have one of the league’s top-ranked defenses. Gardner’s arrival gives them an elite cornerback capable of locking down opposing receivers alongside their physical front seven, a critical boost for their playoff ambitions.
Jets Prioritize Long-Term Vision As Sauce Gardner Bids Adieu
As NFL insider Ian Rapoport noted earlier Tuesday, the Colts were among several contenders aggressively pursuing secondary help before the deadline. Landing Gardner solidifies their defense for a potential Super Bowl push.
Gardner’s production had dipped slightly this season. According to PFSN’s NFL CB Impact metrics, he holds a CB Impact Score of 84.5, grading as a B, compared to a 101.5 (A+) mark during his standout rookie year. The dip can be attributed in part to team struggles and a concussion suffered in Week 7 against the Carolina Panthers, which caused him to miss the following game.
Despite that, his resume remains elite, 20 tackles and six passes defended in seven games this year, and he is expected to be cleared for Week 10, making him immediately available for Indianapolis.
“New York it’s been real,” Gardner’s brief message encapsulated both gratitude and closure, marking the end of a remarkable but brief chapter with the franchise that drafted him.
New York it’s been real💚
— SAUCE GARDNER (@iamSauceGardner) November 4, 2025
The Jets’ front office, however, appears focused on the long-term vision. The addition of Adonai Mitchell, the former No. 52 overall pick in 2024, brings an explosive young wideout into the fold, while the pair of first-rounders gives New York valuable capital to rebuild its roster depth.
MORE: 2025 NFL Trade Deadline Tracker
As for the Colts, they’re betting big, both financially and in draft equity, on Gardner’s ability to anchor a Super Bowl-caliber defense.
With the deadline passing and contenders making their final moves, the landscape of the AFC looks dramatically different. For the Jets, the Gardner trade represents a step backward in the short term but potentially a leap forward for the future. For Gardner, it’s an opportunity to chase the championship spotlight his talent has always deserved.