We’ve reached the point in the NFL offseason when teams begin squaring off in training camp joint practices.
This is a team’s first real test against an opponent, and it’s our first chance to see some of the league’s best players go head-to-head as they prepare for the season.
NFL World Reacts As A.J. Brown Embarrasses Sauce Gardner
On Tuesday, the New England Patriots and the Indianapolis Colts held a joint practice. Among the many great matchups to watch, almost all eyes were on A.J. Brown vs. Sauce Gardner.
One of the clips that surfaced was of Brown beating Gardner on a route, and the NFL world had some strong reactions. Last season, the Colts traded two first-round picks and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell to the New York Jets for Gardner.
It was a blockbuster trade and one that will be highly scrutinized depending on how Gardner plays this season. The joint practice rep that received heavy scrutiny was a play in which Brown ran a sit route, and Gardner lost his balance.
NFL analyst John Frascella said of this, “Anyone surprised by this? Sauce Gardner gets absolutely DESTROYED by AJ Brown. Most overrated player in the league.”
Anyone surprised by this?
Sauce Gardner gets absolutely DESTROYED by AJ Brown.
Most overrated player in the league. https://t.co/ht0OFCAus1
— John Frascella (Football) (@NFLFrascella) August 11, 2026
Gardner is going to be held to a high standard this season and beyond given what the Colts gave up to acquire him. Last season, Gardner was the No. 52-ranked corner in the league according to PFN’s CB Impact Score, with a grade of 76.6. In 2022, he ranked No. 3 in the NFL, but he has since finished 22nd, 59th, and 52nd in the metric.
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One user said, “I still can’t believe we got 2 1s for this dude lmao.”
I still can’t believe we got 2 1s for this dude lmao https://t.co/eCYSA77yXf
— Ron Stewart (@RonStewart_) August 11, 2026
We often see teams overpay for players in mid-season trades as they try to make a win-now move to get into the playoffs. Unfortunately for the Colts, they gave up a premium package and still missed the playoffs due in large part to injuries.
While Gardner is getting a lot of hate for this play, there should also be credit given to Brown, who is one of the top wide receivers in the NFL.
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NFL content creator Max Loeb said, “AJ Brown is so ridiculous. One of the strongest WRs in the entire NFL that can just break off one of the most fluid DBs in the NFL.”
AJ Brown is so ridiculous.
One of the strongest WRs in the entire NFL that can just break off one of the most fluid DBs in the NFL https://t.co/kIJg6TdK63
— Max Loeb (@loebsleads) August 11, 2026
Gardner took to social media after practice and reacted to the viral video and criticism. Gardner was clearly not happy with how people were talking about him on social media, and he made that statement before deleting the tweet.
The Colts CB said, “all this from a 1on1 rep? & a 8-yard sit route at that? It’s a reason that’s the only one yall saw.”
Sauce Gardner RESPONDS to matchup vs A.J. Brown not going his way😂
The tweet has since been deleted👀
–@CLNSMedia pic.twitter.com/d6nycHxwJ3— Patriots on CLNS (@PatriotsCLNS) August 11, 2026
There shouldn’t be this much noise about one training camp rep, but it goes to show that all eyes will be on Gardner this season as he tries to live up to lofty expectations.
