Shocking move:
BREAKING: The Colts are acquiring Jets corner Sauce Gardner, per source. pic.twitter.com/aAByLLq5vc
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) November 4, 2025
This is the deal we had heard about last week, with the Colts determined to try to acquire a player they believe can make them a Super Bowl contender. The Jets will receive two first-rounders in the deal and presumably the Colts kept adding to their initial offer until the Jets got them to this price-point.
Gardner only just signed an extension with the Jets, but only $13.75m of the bonus money is paid out in year one so this gave them the option to move him and get off the hook for the rest.
Presumably the Jets are happy with Azareye’h Thomas and Brandon Stephens for now but it changes the outlook of how their defense is built. It’s possible the new regime became frustrated by Gardner’s lack of direct impact on games because he never forces a turnover and the team still struggles in coverage even when he shuts his guy down. The fact they are 3-1 in games he missed could be a consideration too.
But, yeah…nobody was expecting this and the Jets are going to look a lot different next year.
Hope you didn’t buy a #1 jersey in the offseason…
UPDATE: The Jets also received AD Mitchell in the deal. Mitchell is a former second round wide receiver who is 6’2″ and still only 23. He hasn’t played much this year but caught 23 passes for 312 yards last season as a rookie.