The New York Jets decided to give cornerback Sauce Gardner a new home as the NFL Trade Deadline grew closer on Tuesday.
Gardner, who has played his entire NFL career for the Jets, has played 55 career games for New York. But he’s got a new home with another AFC team.
What Team Is Getting Sauce Gardner From Jets?
According to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, who posted on X, Gardner will now play for the Indianapolis Colts.
Sources: The #Jets are trading Sauce Gardner to the #Colts. Blockbuster.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 4, 2025
Gardner just signed a big deal with the Jets in the offseason, too. According to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, who posted on X, “The Jets signed Sauce Gardner to a 4-year, $120.4M extension this offseason. He gets traded just a few months later to the 7-2 Colts.”
With the Jets not having a great season, Gardner now goes to a Super Bowl contender and can help Indianapolis on defense, too. In return for Gardner, the Colts are sending the Jets two first-round draft picks in the 2026 and 2027 NFL Drafts, along with wide receiver Adonai Mitchell.
According to the PFSN NFL CB Impact metrics, Gardner has a CB Impact Score of 84.5 this season and grades out to a B. But he’s seen his numbers go down in his time with the Jets. In his rookie season in 2022, Gardner had a 101.5 CB Impact Score and graded out to an A+.
Our CB IMPACT score has Sauce at 84.5 for the season, which ranks 23rd among all cornerbacks. pic.twitter.com/a5fnjjyVX3
— PFSN (@PFSN365) November 4, 2025
Then, in 2023, he finished with a 91.5 CB Impact Score with a grade of A-. Last season, Gardner finished with an 86.6 CB Impact Score and graded out to a B.
In addition to those numbers, Gardner, according to qualified CBs since 2022, had the fewest yards allowed per snap in coverage at 0.60. Gardner was followed by Garrett Williams: 0.66; Patrick Peterson: 0.67; Pat Surtain II: 0.71; Jaylon Johnson: 0.72; Marshon Lattimore: 0.72; Isaiah Rodgers: 0.72; Tariq Woolen: 0.76; Trent McDuffie: 0.76;
>and Jaycee Horn: 0.76.
When it comes to most forced incompletions since Gardner entered the league in 2022, he leads that category with 49. He’s followed by Darious Williams: 45; Denzel Ward: 42; Paulson Adebo: 40; and Benjamin St-Juste: 40.
According to statistics from Football Database, Gardner was fourth among defenders in 2024 in penalties with nine. Terrion Arnold had 11. Gardner is also 14th this season among defenders with four.
After the trade was announced, Colts general manager Chris Ballard issued a statement regarding the deal for Gardner. “Having the opportunity to acquire a talented player like Sauce Gardner was one we did not want to pass on,” Gardner said. “He was a player that we scouted heavily coming out of college and there’s a reason he was the fourth overall draft pick.
Statement from #Colts GM Chris Ballard via the team on the trade for Sauce Gardner. pic.twitter.com/OGIUpxIvfp
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) November 4, 2025
“Sauce is a proven cornerback,” Ballard said. “His skill and competitive nature will elevate everyone’s play on the defensive unit. We’re thrilled he’s a Colt. On the same note, AD Mitchell is a great person and a great player. We believe he will have success in New York, and we wish him the best as he enters the next chapter of his career.”
This season, Gardner had a few deflected passes while he was on the field for the Jets. Now, though, Gardner is going to the Colts, where he can play a big role in getting Indianapolis into the NFL postseason.
That was not going to happen as long as he was playing at MetLife Stadium in Jets home games. Look for Gardner to have an immediate impact when taking the field for his new team.
