One of the biggest trades of the 2025 trade deadline was the Indianapolis Colts‘ acquisition of two-time All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner from the New York Jets.
The trade showed that the Jets were officially tanking and the Colts are all in on trying to win the Super Bowl.
Gardner didn’t have much time to prepare for his first game as a member of the organization. He was traded the day of the deadline, with Indy having an international game against the Atlanta Falcons in Berlin a few days later. It was also not a good sign that Gardner was in the concussion protocol during his first few days of practicing with the Colts.
Despite having to get accustomed to defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo’s scheme in just a few days, Gardner was able to hold his own. The cornerback recorded a pass deflection and 6 total tackles in his debut with Indianapolis in Germany and helped the team to a 31-25 win over Atlanta in overtime.
Sauce Gardner Opens On His First Game As A Colt
GettyIndianapolis Colts safety Cam Bynum (left) and cornerback Sauce Gardner (right)
The amount of traveling Sauce Gardner had to do in his time with the Jets, from flying out to Indianapolis and then to Germany in a matter of days, likely took a toll on the cornerback.
A reporter asked Gardner how he feels about his understanding after the bye week, with the corner giving details on how he had to learn Anarumo’s defense and made a mistake in his debut.
“Given all the plays that we had called to really not mess up, my main mess up of the game was when [Falcon’s wide receiver] Darnell Mooney caught the out route. I should have still been pressed, but I ended up backing off,” Gardner said. “That was my main mess up. I feel like I’m a perfectionist, I try to be.”
“That’s what I kind of feel is expected out of me… It’s great to be able to have this week to just relax… It’s Monday, play on a Sunday, so I got more than enough time to just be even more comfortable with everything we’re doing.”
In his debut with the Colts, Gardner allowed only two catches for 30 yards on four targets, which is not bad for someone with less than a week of knowledge of the defensive scheme.
With more time in his defensive coordinator’s defense, he could have the opportunity to return to his All-Pro level.
Playing With $54 Million Signing
GettyIndianapolis Colts CB Charvarius Ward
The Indianapolis Colts made an effort to revamp the secondary room in the 2025 offseason, spending quite a bit of resources, including signing cornerback Charvarius Ward to a $54 million deal.
Pairing up Ward with Sauce Gardner would give the Colts one of the best, if not the best, cornerback duos in the league.
The duo has yet to make their first appearance together as the $54 million signing has been in concussion protocol after suffering a pregame accident in Week 6 and is now able to return from IR.
“Charvarius, he’s been a dog, since he was in San Fran, since he was in Kansas City,” Gardner said of his new teammate. “I’m looking forward to going out there together and putting on a clinic.”
“From afar, he’s always been that guy… I’m looking forward to him getting back out there.”
Gardner and Ward will have a big test in their first appearance together if Indy were to activate Ward from IR, as the Colts will take on the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 12. While the Chiefs have an even record, they are no team to take lightly.
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