The New York Jets made a stunning move ahead of the NFL trade deadline on Tuesday.
All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner has been traded to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for two first-round picks and wide receiver AD Mitchell, according to multiple reports.
Gardner, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, signed a four-year, $120.4 million extension with the Jets last offseason. The former Cincinnati star made the Pro Bowl in 2022 and 2023 and was also a First-team All-Pro both seasons.
Gardner shared a five-word message on social media right around the time the trade news broke.
“New York it’s been real,” Gardner wrote on X.
New York it's been real💚
— SAUCE GARDNER (@iamSauceGardner) November 4, 2025
The Jets are 1-7 coming out of their bye. They will now have additional salary cap space and two more first-round picks as they look to rebuild heading into 2026.
The Colts are in the opposite situation. They are coming off a disappointing loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 9, but they are 7-2 and have been arguably the most surprising team in the NFL this season. Daniel Jones has experienced a career revival under head coach Shane Steichen, while Jonathan Taylor has been unstoppable in the run game.
With Gardner now in the mix, the Colts have solidified themselves as a legitimate championship contender.
