Sauce Gardner's Immediate Reaction to Colts Trade Speaks Volumes

“I would never ask for a trade,” he said. “It’s a blessing just to be able to play on Sundays. Things can change overnight, and that’s what makes it beautiful.”

But in that split second before finding out where he was going, Gardner had a silent wish. “I just told myself, please let it be my ideal situation,” he said. “I don’t want to go to a losing team or one that’s far away.”

When the GM said “Colts,” Gardner’s answer came with instant excitement. 

“That’s a great situation,” he remembered saying. “I already know a few guys on the team, it’s closer to home, closer to where I went to college — and my favorite color is blue. It just worked out perfectly.”

The move reunites Gardner with his former college teammate, Alec Pierce, now a wide receiver for the Colts. The two were standouts at the University of Cincinnati, and the thought of teaming up again made the moment even sweeter.

“The first thing I thought was, ‘I’m about to be back with my boy Alec,’” Gardner said with a grin. “They’re winning right now, and I know what I can add. I was just happy.”

For Indianapolis, the trade was a bold move, but one that made perfect sense. The team has been dealing with injuries in its secondary and needed a lockdown corner capable of changing games. Gardner, the highest-graded cornerback in the NFL since 2022, fits that role perfectly.

Colts defensive tackle Grover Stewart admitted he couldn’t believe the news at first.

“People were calling me like, ‘Y’all got Sauce?’” Stewart said. “When I saw it, I was fired up.”

The excitement inside the Colts locker room is matched only by Gardner’s energy. While some might expect him to call himself the missing piece, Gardner sees himself differently, as part of something bigger.

“I’m not saying I’m the missing piece,” he explained. “I just think I’m a great additional piece. I’m ready to bring a lot to the table and help this defense.”

The trade came right after Gardner cleared concussion protocol, adding to an already intense week. Between paperwork, meetings and practices, he barely had time to rest.

Gardner’s first game in a Colts uniform will come on Sunday in Berlin, Germany, where Indianapolis faces the Atlanta Falcons. The timing couldn’t be better; the Colts are pushing for a playoff spot, and Gardner’s arrival could be the spark they need to solidify their defense.

For the former Defensive Rookie of the Year, the trade represents both a challenge and a new chapter. After spending three and a half seasons in New York, where the Jets managed only 17 wins during his tenure, Gardner now joins a team with Super Bowl ambitions.

And judging by his words and his smile, he’s ready to embrace every moment of it.