Sauce Gardner: Trade| Contract| PFF| Is Good| Trade details| Colts

Introduction

At just 25 years of age, Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner has already left an indelible mark on the NFL. Drafted 4th overall in 2022 by the New York Jets, he quickly emerged as one of the premier cornerbacks in the game. 
As of November 2025, Gardner made headlines once again — this time for a blockbuster mid-season trade to the Indianapolis Colts. In this article, we’ll cover the full story: trade details, contract implications, performance metrics (including from Pro Football Focus), whether he’s still “good”, and what this means for both franchises moving forward.

Early Career & Achievements

Gardner’s background shows a meteoric rise:

• Played college football at Cincinnati Bearcats and was selected 4th overall by the Jets in 2022.

• In his rookie season, he earned NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors and a First-Team All-Pro selection — rare for a cornerback.

• Followed that with another First-Team All-Pro honour in 2023, cementing his status as an elite cover corner.

Those early accolades created high expectations and set the stage for what was to come.

Contract & Financials

In July 2025, Gardner and the Jets agreed on a four-year, $120.4 million extension, making him the highest-paid cornerback in the league at that time.

A few key takeaways on the contract:

• The total figure: $120.4 million.

• Because the base salary for 2025 was minimal (around $1.25 million) and the signing-bonus was relatively modest compared to total guarantee, it made the contract more trade-friendly.

• From 2026 onward, the contract becomes a heavier cap commitment for whichever team holds it.

Thus, the extension locked Gardner into a long-term deal, but the structure meant the Jets had flexibility (or at least some trade-value cushion).

Trade Details: Jets → Colts

On November 4, 2025, the trade broke: the Colts acquired Gardner from the Jets.

What the Colts got

• Sauce Gardner himself (cornerback).

• His contract (as noted above) through 2028+ in terms of cap commitments.

What the Jets received

• Two first-round draft picks: 2026 and 2027.

• One young wide receiver: Adonai Mitchell (traded from Colts to Jets as part of the deal).

Why it matters

• For the Colts: They sacrificed future draft capital (two first-rounders) and a young receiver, in exchange for a top-tier shutdown corner in his prime.

• For the Jets: They pivoted to a rebuild, collecting future assets and moving off a large cap commitment (or at least shifting risk).

Details of cap/financial impact

The deal was structured in such a way that the Colts would assume most of the future salary and cap burden of Gardner’s contract — but the Jets had limited dead cap hit because of how the contract was built (low 2025 base, etc).

Performance Metrics & PFF Grades

How has Gardner been performing, especially from a PFF perspective?

• In 2022: He produced an outstanding season — PFF described him as “first-team All-Pro” and noted top coverage grade (90.8) that year.

• In 2023: He continued at a high level, affirming his elite status.

• In 2024: According to PFF, Gardner’s performance dipped – he was ranked 31st among corners that year.

• In 2025 up to the trade: While still very good, his metrics weren’t as dominant as his rookie/second seasons. For example, coverage grade as of his time in New York in 2025 was cited at around 71.3.

What this means: Gardner remains a high-level player, with track record of elite coverage. The slight drop in performance has raised questions, but many believe a change of scenery (to the Colts) and better team context may push him back up.

Is He Still “Good”? — Evaluating the Trade & Value

Absolutely — Gardner is still very good, and arguably still elite when operating in a favorable system. Let’s break down the pros and potential concerns.

Pros

• Proven performer: two-time All-Pro, Defensive Rookie of the Year. Rare achievements for a young corner.

• Physical and versatile: At ~6’3.5″ and ~187 lb, with length and athleticism that allow him to match up with top receivers.

• Under long-term contract: The Colts now have him under team control for the peak years of his career.

• Strategic fit: The Colts’ secondary was a weakness; adding Gardner addresses a clear need.

Concerns / Trade-offs

• Cost: The Colts gave up two first-round picks and a young receiver. That’s significant opportunity cost.

• Contract risk: Big cap commitment, and if his performance falls or injuries arise, the burden becomes heavier.

• Recent performance dip: While not catastrophic, Gardner’s last year or so hasn’t matched the brilliance of his first two seasons.

• Draft-pick timing: The two first-rounders could land late in the round (if the Jets perform poorly) which makes the value somewhat less. Some analysts have flagged that as a factor.

Verdict: Trade Grade

Most analysts give the trade a strong grade for the Colts — “home run swing” terminology appears in several write-ups.
For the Jets, it’s viewed as a hard pivot to rebuild, perhaps the “right” call given their 1-7 start in 2025.

Impact on the Colts’ Roster & Defense

The Colts’ front office has clearly gone all-in on this season and beyond. Adding Gardner transforms their secondary. Some important notes:

• According to analysis, adding Gardner re-shapes the depth chart: when healthy, they could deploy Gardner opposite another starter, with strong nickel/safety help behind.

• The pressure is on: If the Colts are going to justify giving up future picks and taking on “big money” DBs, results (playoff / Super Bowl contention) must follow.

• Cap implications: The Colts are entering a phase where they are less “budget-team” and more “invest-team,” particularly at cornerback. That has broader ramifications for how they build the roster.

From a schematic standpoint, if the Colts can stabilize pass-defense, improve third-down stops, and generate more turnovers, Gardner’s acquisition could be a major turning point.

Why the Jets Agreed to Trade Him

From the Jets’ side, the decision to trade Gardner (shortly after extending him) shocked many. But the logic is defensible:

• Team record: At 1-7 in 2025, the Jets were heading in a different direction. A rebuild seemed imminent.

• Contract structure: Because the 2025 base salary was low and the signing bonus relatively modest, the trade was financially easier to execute for New York.

• Draft capital: Two first-rounders (2026 & 2027) give the Jets flexibility to rebuild via youth.

• Risk mitigation: Instead of waiting for Gardner’s contract to become a bigger burden (or performance to decline further), they chose to cash in early.

So while it hurts to lose a star, strategically it may have been the prudent move for the Jets.

What This Means Moving Forward

For the Colts:

• They have signalled “we believe now” — adding a top-tier corner means they are chasing immediate returns.

• If this year’s roster holds together and the defense improves, they could leap from contender to serious Super Bowl threat.

• The gamble: If results don’t follow, the cost of sacrificed picks & cap space could weigh heavily.

For the Jets:

• They’re embracing a rebuild: youth, draft picks, cap flexibility.

• This trade clears up future risk and gives them assets to pivot.

• The challenge: They must use the picks wisely and build a sustainable path back to contention.

For Gardner himself:

• New opportunity: A team with better win-trajectory (7-2 Colts at the time of the deal) and stronger supporting cast means he may regain his elite form.

• Motivation: A trade can serve as a fresh start and a reminder of the premium placed on elite corners.

• Legacy: If he performs well in Indianapolis and helps them deep into the playoffs, this move will boost his legacy.

Summary

In summary: Sauce Gardner trade, contract, PFF, is he still good, trade details, Colts.

• Trade: Gardner moved from the Jets to the Colts on Nov 4, 2025 for two first-round picks (2026 & 2027) plus WR Adonai Mitchell.

• Contract: A four-year, $120.4 million extension signed in July 2025, making him the highest-paid CB at the time.

• PFF Metrics: Elite in 2022-23 (coverage grade ~90.8 in 2022). A dip in 2024, but early signs in 2025 show improvement and a strong situational fit with the Colts.

• Is he good? Yes — still among the best corners in the NFL when healthy and used correctly. The trade reinforces that status by placing him in a stronger team context.

• Trade Details for the Colts: They gave up two first-rounders and a young receiver. They assume the major contract burden and hope for immediate and sustained defensive payoff.

• Colts’ Outlook: This move dramatically improves their secondary and positions them for a deeper playoff run — but comes with risk.

• Jets’ Outlook: The Jets are in rebuild mode, prioritising future flexibility and youth, and sacrificing a star to realign their strategy.

Final Thoughts

The Sauce Gardner trade represents one of the most significant defensive roster moves in recent NFL history. It touches on elite talent, a huge contract, major draft capital, and a shifting strategic direction for two franchises. For the Colts, it’s a bold “win-now” swing. For the Jets, it’s a calculated pivot.

Gardner remains a top-tier talent — perhaps not quite at the pinnacle he reached in his first two seasons, but absolutely still a major difference-maker. If he returns to his All-Pro form in Indianapolis and the Colts’ defense improves accordingly, this trade could be looked back on as a masterpiece. Conversely, if things don’t click, the cost will loom large.