The New York Jets have traded All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts in a surprising move just hours before the NFL trade deadline. According to a source familiar with the deal, the Jets will receive two first-round draft picks — in 2026 and 2027 — along with wide receiver Adonai Mitchell. The trade was first reported by NFL Network and ESPN.
Gardner, one of the Jets’ most celebrated players, leaves New York after two standout seasons. Drafted fourth overall in 2022 from Cincinnati, he made an immediate impact, earning both the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year award and back-to-back All-Pro selections — a rare achievement for a player in his first two NFL seasons.
In July, the Jets signed Gardner to a four-year, $120.4 million contract extension, making him the highest-paid cornerback in the league. The deal came just a day after the team extended wide receiver Garrett Wilson, signaling that both players were seen as long-term cornerstones for the franchise.
Gardner, however, had an inconsistent start to this season and recently missed a game due to a concussion. Before the trade, new head coach Aaron Glenn and defensive coordinator Steve Wilks had been working closely with him to refine his game. “I know I’m not perfect, but he’s trying to get perfection out of me — that’s what I need,” Gardner said during minicamp.
On social media, Gardner appeared to confirm the move, posting “New York it’s been real” with a green heart emoji on X.
The Colts, who currently sit at 7-2, made the move to strengthen their injury-depleted secondary. They lost multiple defensive backs earlier in the season, including Hunter Wohler and Justin Whaley, both to season-ending injuries. Veteran cornerback Charvarius Ward is also on injured reserve, leaving the team in urgent need of reinforcements.
This is the first major trade by new Jets general manager Darren Mougey, drawing comparisons to the 2013 deal that sent Darrelle Revis to Tampa Bay. Along with Gardner’s departure, the Jets recently traded nickel cornerback Michael Carter II to Philadelphia and added rookie corner Jarvis Brownlee Jr. from Tennessee.
Mitchell, meanwhile, brings potential depth to New York’s wide receiver group, which has struggled due to injuries. The 2023 second-round pick showed flashes of promise with Indianapolis but has battled inconsistency this season.
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