The Indianapolis Colts pulled off one of the biggest deals on trade deadline day. In exchange for two first-round picks and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell, they brought in Sauce Gardner.
Most insiders and pundits see this deal as a win for both the New York Jets, who traded Gardner, and the Colts. However, one former NFL scout is not convinced that the Gardner trade is good for the Colts. This former scout believes Indianapolis should have acquired a different player who was moved at the deadline.
‘That’s Insane’: Former NFL Scout Reacts to Sauce Gardner Trade
Former NFL scout and current podcaster, John Middlekauff, is not a fan of the Colts acquiring the young cornerback. Primarily, because of the type of player that he is.
“Charvarious Ward, when he’s healthy, is a high-end winning player,” Middlekauff said on November 4, 2025. “Sauce Gardner simply is not. And the other thing – while Sauce is an all-pro his first couple of years, a wise man in the league told me this within the last 12 months, if they ever start calling Sauce Gardner for pass interference, we’re going to have problems.”
“And what happened? Last year, they started officiating him differently.”
Middlekauff then criticizes Gardner, revealing how he falls short of other players like Derek Stingley and Richard Sherman.
“And it was hard because he couldn’t just maul you down the field,” Middlekauff said. “Because he’s not just some twitchy, fluid athlete like Derek Stingley. He doesn’t, I wouldn’t say, have great ball skills, and what he definitely is not, for a tall, long corner, is Richard Sherman as a tackler.”
Colts Paid Too High a Price For Gardner
The other reason Middlekauff dislikes the Gardner trade for the Colts is due to the high price they paid.
“That’s insane. I don’t agree. I think it’s too much,” Middlekauff added. “And immediately, I started texting around. As one executive put it to me, ‘What does Chris Ballard have to worry about?’”
“He came into this year already on the hot seat. What are they going to do, fire him?”
He also believes that the Jets emerged as the clear winners from this deal.
“If I’m the Jets and I get two firsts and Adonai Mitchell, that’s the easiest trade the Jets will ever make.”
Ex-Scout Reveals Who They Should Have Traded For
Elsewhere in the NFL, the Dallas Cowboys made several moves. They have been criticized for pushing their chips in despite owning a 3-5-1 record. However, Middlekauff is convinced that one of the biggest trades that the Cowboys pulled off should have been the play by the Colts GM, Chris Ballard.
“To me, I’d rather have Quinnen Williams on my team,” Middlekauff said. “If all things are equal, then Sauce Gardner.”
Quinnen Williams was traded to the Cowboys from the Jets. The Jets received a 2026 2nd-round pick, a 2027 1st-round pick, and DT Mazi Smith, as per Tom Pelissero.
Gardner has 15 tackles and five assisted tackles in seven games this season. He burst onto the scene in his rookie year with 51 tackles and two interceptions in 17 games. Conversely, Williams has 17 tackles, 15 assisted tackles, three fumbles forced, and one sack in eight games.
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