New York Jets send Star CB Sauce Gardner to Indianapolis Colts in blockbuster deadline deal

The New York Jets have agreed to trade elite cornerback Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts just hours before the NFL 2025 trade deadline. The deal, confirmed by multiple insiders, sees the Colts parting with two first-round draft picks (2026 and 2027) and promising wide receiver Adonai Mitchell, the No. 52 overall pick in the 2024 draft. This move will reshape both franchises, boosting the Colts' defense while giving the Jets a haul of future assets amid a dismal season.

Sauce Gardner was the fourth pick in the 2022 draft and won Defensive Rookie of the Year. He is the only cornerback since 1970 to be named first-team All-Pro in his first two NFL seasons.

Indianapolis Colts' strategy

The 7-2 Indianapolis Colts are giving up two first-round draft picks, one in 2026 and one in 2027, plus wide receiver AD Mitchell. Mitchell was a second-round pick in 2024.

In return, they will get Gardner, a 25-year-old star who can stop top wide receivers. The Colts’ pass defense has struggled this year. Adding Gardner should make it much stronger right away.

Why the New York Jets made the trade

The New York Jets are 1-7 this season under new head coach Aaron Glenn. Things have not gone well. Sauce Gardner missed one game with a concussion.

In July, the Jets signed Gardner to a big four-year, $120.4 million contract. They thought he would stay long-term. Now, just months later, they trade him to build for the future.

The first two first-round picks give the Jets chances to draft new stars. AD Mitchell adds speed to their offense.

Sauce Gardner’s short goodbye

Sauce Gardner posted on social media, “New York it's been real.”

What happens next

For the Indianapolis Colts, Sauce Gardner joins a winning team and could help them reach the playoffs.

For the New York Jets, this trade starts a rebuild. They now have extra high draft picks to fix the team.

This trade shows how fast things change in the NFL. Teams that are winning add stars. Teams that are losing plan ahead. The NFL trade deadline often brings surprises, and this is one of the biggest.