In what is perhaps one of the biggest trades ahead of today’s 4:00 p.m. ET NFL trade deadline, the Indianapolis Colts have acquired New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner.
What makes this deal intriguing, aside from the Colts acquiring an elite-level cornerback, is that the Jets just paid Gardner this past offseason.
Jets Signed Sauce Gardner Four Months Ago, And Now He’s Gone
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Colts acquired Gardner in exchange for two first-round picks.
It is two first-round picks to the #Colts for Sauce. https://t.co/5la0cWHToY
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 4, 2025
Rapoport later reported that wide receiver A.D. Mitchell was also part of the deal.
The #Jets are getting 2 first-rounders and WR AD Mitchell for Sauce Gardner. pic.twitter.com/96JXUNsMY5
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 4, 2025
However, as mentioned, the Jets signed Garnder to a 4-year, $120.4 million extension on July 15, 2025. This deal came after the Jets brought in new head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougy.
The Jets’ season has not gone at all as planned when they signed Gardner to an extension and brought in quarterback Justin Fields, though. They’re just 1-7 this season after barely beating the Cincinnati Bengals 39-38 a couple of weeks ago.
Further, this comes at a time when the Colts have just under $3 million in cap space. However, in 2026, they’re projected to have over $67 million before making this deal.
Gardner’s cap hit is just $9.38 million, so making that work within their salary cap should be doable.
Better yet, in 2026, his cap hit is a modest $12.25 million.
With this move, Gardner is transitioning from a 1-7 to a 7-2 Colts squad, which is tied for the best record in the league and will be at home in Week 10 against the Atlanta Falcons.
To this point, the Colts have allowed 244.8 passing yards per game, which is the seventh-highest in the NFL and is middle of the pack in PFSN’s Defense Impact metric with a 75.
Their top three cornerbacks, snaps-wise, are Mekhi Blackmon, Kenny Moore II, and Charvarius Ward.
Here are their stats this season:
- Blackmon: Allowed 27 catches on 41 targets for 366 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions.
- Moore II: Allowed 22 catches on 34 targets for 254 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
- Ward: Allowed 10 catches on 16 targets for 67 yards.
That being said, Ward has played just four games, and Moore II has played six.
Now, they bring in a cornerback in Gardner who’s allowed just 10 catches this season on 22 targets for 170 yards, two touchdowns, and has five pass breakups. Remember, the Jets have been dreadful this season.
Now, as PFSN’s Brandon Astreicher put it, referencing the Colts, “adding to their defense was necessary to help their chances at winning the big game.”
Over his career, Gardner, across 1,940 coverage snaps, has allowed just five touchdowns and has 36 pass breakups.
This is a massive deal that signals the Colts are ready to win it all this season.