Indianapolis acquired All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner from…
Indianapolis acquired All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner from the Jets for wide receiver Adonai Mitchell and first-round picks in 2026 and 2027. Gardner played only three Colts games in 2025 before a calf strain ended his season, while New York used the 2026 choice at No. 16 on tight end Kenyon Sadiq. With the 2027 first still outstanding, the trade remains unfinished.
Indianapolis Colts Received
- player Sauce Gardner
New York Jets Received
- player Adonai Mitchell
- pick 2026 1st round pick (16th overall, Kenyon Sadiq )
- pick 2027 1st round pick
Trade Analysis
The Deal
Indianapolis made one of the biggest moves of the 2025 deadline, acquiring two-time first-team All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner from the Jets. The price was wide receiver Adonai Mitchell plus the Colts' first-round selections in 2026 and 2027. It was a win-now commitment by Indianapolis and a major asset reset for New York.
Indianapolis' Early Return
Gardner's first Colts season did not provide enough evidence for a definitive grade. He appeared in only three games after the trade before a non-contact calf strain sidelined him for five games. Indianapolis still controls a star corner under contract, so the value proposition was always about multiple seasons rather than the final weeks of 2025.
New York's Early Return
The Jets already converted one of the premium picks. Indianapolis' 2026 first landed at No. 16, where New York selected Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq. NFL draft records explicitly identify the pick as acquired from the Colts. Mitchell also remained part of the Jets' offensive plans entering 2026, giving New York a young receiver in addition to the draft capital.
What Remains
The 2027 first-round pick is still unresolved, which makes any extreme verdict premature. Its position could materially alter the trade's balance, and Gardner's 2026 performance will also matter. The Jets have already secured substantial optionality, while Indianapolis still possesses the single most proven player.
Final Verdict
As of August 2026, an Even Trade with B+ grades is the responsible call. Both sides acquired high-upside value, but the most important future pick and Gardner's full Colts impact remain unsettled.
This trade remains too incomplete for a durable historical conclusion. Gardner's first Colts season was cut to three games by injury, the Jets have only begun realizing value from Mitchell and Kenyon Sadiq, and the 2027 first-round selection has not yet conveyed. The remaining first-rounder could still alter the balance.