Indianapolis did not hide its ambition. It made it clear from the start. The goal is the AFC title and a Super Bowl, and every move shows urgency. The Colts are finished waiting for a chance to rise. They are pushing their way into the race and are doing it on their terms.
The Colts acquired two-time All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner in a massive 120.4 million dollar deal. They sent first-round picks in 2026 and 2027, along with receiver Adonai Mitchell, to the Jets. At 7-2 and chasing the top seed in the conference, Indianapolis moved fast instead of waiting for competition.
SAUCE GARDNER IS AN INDIANAPOLIS COLT 🔵
The highest-graded CB since entering the NFL – 90.8 🔒 pic.twitter.com/0jSpXiIYTG
— PFF (@PFF) November 4, 2025
Gardner arrives with star power and a contract to match. The Jets already handled the signing bonus, so the cap hit stays light for the rest of this season. The heavier financial impact begins in 2026, giving the Colts room to operate today and options later.
On the field, this changes everything. Gardner joins Charvarius Ward and Kenny Moore, giving Indianapolis a top-tier cornerback trio. This defense is designed to disrupt elite passing offenses. It is a statement move from a franchise leaning toward a Super Bowl push rather than caution.
The Jets are heading in the opposite direction. At 1-7, they opted for a complete rebuild, rather than another short-term fix. Trading a player they extended only months ago points to a long horizon and a reset of priorities. Two future first-round picks provide the foundation they need.
In simple terms, one team is chasing a championship now, while the other is planning for a stronger future.
Sauce Gardner’s Press Technique and Length Keep Him in Rare Territory Among Elite Defenders
Gardner is a press-man coverage cornerback who uses length and technique to control receivers. He shuts down top targets and forces opponents to change their game plan.
In 2022, Gardner won the Defensive Rookie of the Year award and became the first rookie cornerback since Ronnie Lott in 1981 to be named First-team All-Pro.
He was a First-team All-Pro in each of his first two seasons, joining a short list of defensive players in NFL history to achieve the feat.
Since 2022, Gardner has forced 49 incompletions, the most in the NFL. Opposing quarterbacks complete roughly half of their passes when targeting him. Over that period, Pro Football Focus gave him a 91.8 coverage grade, the highest among all cornerbacks. His presence changes how offenses approach the field.
Tackling has drawn some criticism but his coverage removes options for opposing quarterbacks. While his numbers dipped in 2024, advanced metrics show he is once again performing at an elite level in 2025, largely due to his coverage against top wide receivers.
