Colts trade for CB Sauce Gardner

[Oldcolt]

I literally could not believe this was true when I read it. We in no way overpaid for this guy. He signed a huge contract like a few months ago. It included something like a 39 million dollar bonus. That money stays with New York. We get him on a steep discount.

I liked Mitchell but I like the message being sent even more. Sat him then traded him. Harsh but this team needed discipline last year. This is a nice and huge change

Finally this is such an extreme change in the way things have been done around here it cannot be a total coincidence that we have new ownership. A team that goes all in. I do love it.

[ChaosTheory]

By the way... I can't remember a position group being both this badly beaten up and also attacked by the front office this hard with moves to give the DC what he wants.

CB room has been in flux all year.

[YDFL Commish]

Sure we over paid. But who will give a shit, if it leads to multiple long playoff runs, a top 5 defense and perhaps 1 or 2 SB's?

Carlie has definitely been a difference maker.

[Lov2fish]

Get Ward back and keep him healthy, Walley back in the fold next year. We have a legit backend that will give offensive coordinators nightmares. Cross and Bynum at safety and it frees Lou up for some creative defensive schemes. I am here for it.

[Oldcolt]

If he plays at all pro level it isn't an overpay. He is young, we have him on a decent contract (for us anyway) until 2030. You going to play and beat Mahomes, you better be able to cover. Good CB play opens up Anarumo's playbook also. It is just two first rounders. I can't get upset-I have seen us give two first rounders for Fredd Young

[YDFL Commish]

Originally Posted by Oldcolt

If he plays at all pro level it isn't an overpay. He is young, we have him on a decent contract (for us anyway) until 2030. You going to play and beat Mahomes, you better be able to cover. Good CB play opens up Anarumo's playbook also. It is just two first rounders. I can't get upset-I have seen us give two first rounders for Fredd Young

Exactly. Two first round picks is like having two lottery tickets, they guarantee you nothing, especially when those picks are likely to between picks 25 & 32.

[Butter]

I like this take on the trade by Walterfootball.

Colts acquire CB Sauce Gardner from Jets for two first-round picks, WR Adonai Mitchell
The Jaguars traded for a receiver about an hour prior to this deal. The Colts countered by obtaining a player who could easily shut down that receiver. I’d say the Colts won the 2025 trade deadline.

Indianapolis has been a great upstart this year with its No. 1 offense, but the defense was ranked just 15th in EPA. Cornerback, in particular, was a problematic position. That’s not the case anymore in the wake of the Sauce Gardner trade.

The Colts needed a boost in the secondary to compete with the top teams in the AFC. Gardner will certainly provide that boost. He’s a legitimate shutdown cornerback who will allow the Colts to erase one side of the field. Gardner will be especially lethal when paired with Indianapolis’ pass rush, which is ranked third in pressures this season. He’s also just 25, so it’s not like he’ll undergo any regression in the coming years. Surrendering two first-round picks may seem like a lot, but the Colts will be picking in the 20s or perhaps even the 30s, so it won’t be too painful.

Meanwhile, Jets fans can’t feel too good about this trade. The team needs a rebuild, but given that Gardner is just 25, he was supposed to be part of the rebuild. And unless something strange happens next year, the Jets won’t be picking before the mid-20s with either of Indianapolis’ selections.

Grade for Colts – A+
Grade for Jets – C

[Puck]

On paper the best D the Colts have assembled?

This after the Gus Bradley yrs??????

[ChoppedWood]

Haven't been able to get to the computer all day.

Very excited by this. I was gung-ho for an edge, but I did not realize how high we ranked in pressure rate. This should give us the ability to get some additional sacks out of those rushes.

I definitely think this backfield is on par with the group that won the SB for us. Just have to stay healthy.

[ChoppedWood]

Also wanted to comment on the sentiment about the messaging of AD being part of this. I totally agree. I really do think that is much more about the message than it is the compensation. I think this sends a reverberating message throughout the entire org- your job is no longer secure just because your scan card worked yesterday. I love that expectations have been ratcheted up. AD may turn out to be a very good player, but for now, we needed to send the message that to be on this roster, you have to be a very good player right fucking now and if you aren't, you don't belong here.