Hours into the 2025 NFL Trade Deadline, the league received a blockbuster deal within the AFC. After losing on Sunday to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Indianapolis Colts knew they had to add reinforcements at 7-2. Looking to preserve their spot atop the AFC South, they made a major swing and added to their secondary. The Colts will acquire New York Jets star cornerback Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner. While Gardner is currently in concussion protocol, he could be activated as soon as this week when the Colts face the Atlanta Falcons.
After being selected with the fourth overall pick in 2022, Gardner quickly became one of the better cornerbacks in the league. Already four seasons into his career, Sauce Gardner became a two-time First-Team All-Pro honoree in his first two seasons. However, injuries and organizational mismanagement have led to a fall in production. In exchange, the Colts will send the Jets two first-round picks and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell.
Full trade:
Colts receive CB Sauce Gardner.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 4, 2025
Report: New York Jets Trade Sauce Gardner to Indianapolis Colts
During the 2022 NFL Draft, the New York Jets had a great opportunity to add franchise-changing talent with two top-ten picks. Among those picks was the tenth overall pick, acquired from the Seattle Seahawks in the Jamal Adams trade. On draft night, they used their own fourth overall pick to select the University of Cincinnati cornerback Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner. A vital piece of the Bearcats defense, Gardner helped lead the university to the College Football Playoff before losing to Alabama in the Cotton Bowl. It didn’t take long for Gardner to make an impact in Robert Saleh’s defense. The Jets rookie went on to be named first-team All-Pro and win Defensive Rookie of the Year. A feat that hadn’t been achieved since Ronnie Lott was in San Francisco.
Between 2022 to 2023, Gardner had one of the most electric starts to a career in franchise history. The cornerback finished with 31 passes defended, two interceptions, a forced fumble, and 132 total tackles between 33 games. However, since 2024, he’s seen his tackling production drop. While Gardner has great coverage abilities, his frame has made him susceptible to hits at 6’3″, 190 lbs.
However, the Jets still saw him as a premier talent, thus extending him for a four-year, $ 120.4 million extension this offseason. The Jets viewed Gardner as a face of the franchise. A major bonus for Aaron Glenn’s arrival was to watch him develop Gardner’s game further, the way he helped Marshon Lattimore while they were on the New Orleans Saints together. The Jets defense has given up the 27th most points per game thus far. Even with a down year from Gardner, he’s not the only problem in that unit. However, now Gardner is back in the Midwest, ready to bring some energy into the Colts secondary.
The Jets Gain Long-Term Flexibility And Major Draft Capital
Parting with a multiple-time All-Pro talent is never easy. Especially if your team is sitting at 1-7 at the trade deadline. But the Jets made a long-term investment in general manager Darren Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn. Now, this Sauce Gardner trade allows the Jets to build the team long-term.
In return, the Jets have acquired two first-round picks from Indianapolis between 2026 and 2027. This gives the Jets four first-round picks between the next two years of the draft. As a result, New York can have the draft capital to not only add to their defense, but take a chance on a young quarterback as well. Currently projected, the Jets have their third overall pick in the draft. As a result, the Jets now have the 32nd overall pick as well. Thus far, the Jets have been projected to take a quarterback within the top five. Now, along with that quarterback, they can use the 32nd pick to add to their defense or maybe a playmaking wide receiver.
Secondly, despite signing Sauce Gardner to a long-term extension, one smart thing Darren Mougey did was include option bonuses in Gardner’s contract. The benefit of this is that it limits the amount of dead cap the Jets have over the next two seasons. In 2027, the Jets will gain an additional $15 million in cap space. Potentially, that additional cap space in 2027 could push the Jets into the 10th most in the league.
A Second Chance on a Promising Wide Receiver
Finally, the Jets also managed to get a player back by acquiring wide receiver Adonai Mitchell from the Colts as well. Last offseason, the Colts selected Mitchell with the 52nd overall pick out of Texas. During his only season in Texas, Mitchell shone with 845 yards and 11 touchdowns on 55 catches. As of now, Mitchell has yet to record a touchdown in the NFL. Earlier this season, Mitchell was subjected to ridicule after letting the ball go before the goal line on a 76-yard touchdown pass from Daniel Jones against the Los Angeles Rams. He has since watched his playing time drop.
Sauce Gardner getting lit up by the rookie AD Mitchell. At least he’s improving at golf pic.twitter.com/IeztKOJH01
— Brett Hoffman (@BrettHoffmanjr) November 17, 2024
Thus far, Mitchell has only 152 yards on nine catches from 16 targets. However, considering the state of the wide receiver room behind Garrett Wilson, Mitchell’s upside would be promising with more targets. Currently, Mitchell is under contract for the next two years. If the Jets draft their quarterback during that time, it will be nice to have affordable depth at skill positions to help them develop.
Is Rookie Azareye’h Thomas Ready To Start?
As a result of the Sauce Gardner trade, the Jets will start rookie cornerback Azareye’h Thomas opposite of Brandon Stephens. Selected with the 72nd overall pick in this year’s draft, Thomas was a three-year starter at Florida State. While not as adept as Gardner, Thomas does offer a similar size profile at 6’1 and 197 lbs. The big-bodied rookie cornerback has held his own while Gardner has been out with a concussion. The Jets are ready to commit to this rebuild. After four seasons, Sauce Gardner helped bring an energy seen here in a long time. While it didn’t work out as hoped, perhaps the change of scenery for both player & franchise can be mutually beneficial.
Main Photo: [Vincent Carchietta] – Imagn Images
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