Why Colts went all-in on landing Sauce Gardner from Jets ahead of trade deadline

The 7-2 Indianapolis Colts pulled off a trade-deadline-day stunner when they acquired star cornerback Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner from the New York Jets in exchange for two first-round draft picks and out-of-favor wide receiver Adonai "AD" Mitchell. 

It's clear that Jets general manager Darren Mougey felt the deal "was too good to pass up" after the club signed Gardner to a four-year, $120.4M contract extension this past summer. Meanwhile, NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated addressed why those running the Colts were willing to pay such a high price for Gardner's services.

How Colts expect Sauce Gardner will perform under DC Lou Anarumo

"As for Gardner’s fit in [Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo's] defense, he’s a press-man corner by trade, but has the versatility to play off as well, and should complement Charvarius Ward perfectly," Breer wrote. "Both can play different types of coverage, and will give the coordinator a shot at matching up with bigger, stronger receivers and smaller, shiftier receivers alike. And when Ward returns from IR in the coming weeks, the two should allow Anarumo to call the defense more aggressively, which will only help pass-rushers DeForest Buckner and Laiatu Latu." 

ESPN stats show that the Colts ended Week 9 leading the NFL with an average of 32.2 points scored per game. However, James Boyd of The Athletic pointed out that Indianapolis is 25th in passing yards allowed per game (244.8) and 27th in third-down conversion rate (45.0 percent). Clearly, Colts general manager Chris Ballard felt his team's pass defense was a major liability regarding the club's goals for the upcoming postseason tournament. 

Colts' Sauce Gardner move wasn't just about this season

"Because his deal was done with two years left, and a bonus has been paid, Indy gets a good contract as well," Breer added about the Colts acquiring Gardner. "They have him on the minimum for the rest of the year, then $25.5M in 2026, $24.95M in ’27 and $20.2M in ’28. After that, the team holds de facto options for ’29 and ’30."

Time will tell if the Colts truly "overpaid" for Gardner this fall. The 25-year-old has never played a down of playoff football in the pros, so one can only guess how he'll perform when the lights are at their brightest come January.