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 trade for 2 first-round draft picks and out-of-favor extensive receiver Adonai “AD” Mitchell.
It’s clear that Jets common supervisor Darren Mougey felt the deal “was too good to move up” after the membership signed Gardner to a four-year, $120.4M contract extension this previous summer season. In the meantime, NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports activities Illustrated addressed why these operating the Colts had been prepared to pay such a excessive worth for Gardner’s providers.
How Colts anticipate Sauce Gardner will carry out below DC Lou Anarumo
“As for Gardner’s slot in [Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo’s] protection, he’s a press-man nook by commerce, however has the flexibility to play off as nicely, and may complement Charvarius Ward completely,” Breer wrote. “Each can play various kinds of protection, and can give the coordinator a shot at matching up with greater, stronger receivers and smaller, shiftier receivers alike. And when Ward returns from IR within the coming weeks, the 2 ought to permit Anarumo to name the protection extra aggressively, which can solely assist pass-rushers DeForest Buckner and Laiatu Latu.”
ESPN stats present that the Colts ended Week 9 main the NFL with a mean of 32.2 factors scored per sport. Nevertheless, James Boyd of The Athletic identified that Indianapolis is twenty fifth in passing yards allowed per sport (244.8) and twenty seventh in third-down conversion price (45.0 p.c). Clearly, Colts common supervisor Chris Ballard felt his crew’s move protection was a serious legal responsibility concerning the membership’s objectives for the upcoming postseason event.
Colts’ Sauce Gardner transfer wasn’t nearly this season
“As a result of his deal was achieved with two years left, and a bonus has been paid, Indy will get a great contract as nicely,” Breer added in regards to the Colts buying Gardner. “They’ve him on the minimal for the remainder of the yr, then $25.5M in 2026, $24.95M in ’27 and $20.2M in ’28. After that, the crew holds de facto choices for ’29 and ’30.”
Time will inform if the Colts really “overpaid” for Gardner this fall. The 25-year-old has by no means performed a down of playoff soccer within the execs, so one can solely guess how he’ll carry out when the lights are at their brightest come January.
