The Indianapolis Colts made headlines with the blockbuster move of trading two-time Pro Bowler Sauce Gardner from the New York Jets ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline.
Gardner, drafted by the Jets in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft, had signed a $120,400,000 extension over four years in July. NFL insider Rich Cimini reported that the two-time Pro Bowler was “stunned” by the blockbuster trade.
According to Cimini, Jets coach Aaron Glenn talked to the departing cornerback over the phone.
“Sauce Gardner was stunned by the trade, per his brother and agent Allante Gardner, who told me he learned of the deal around 12:15 in a call from the #Jets. They had no inkling before that, he said. Sauce has no negative feelings toward the Jets; he understands it’s a business, Allante said. Sauce did get a call from Aaron Glenn. #Jets”
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Sauce Gardner was stunned by the trade, per his brother and agent Allante Gardner, who told me he learned of the deal around 12:15 in a call from the #Jets. They had no inkling before that, he said. Sauce has no negative feelings toward the Jets; he understands it’s a business,
The cornerback’s brother said he deserves to be on a winning team.
“I called Ahmad,” Allante said. “He’s in great spirits. I told him this is a business decision and he understands that. The Jets made a business decision. They couldn’t turn it down and Ahmad deserves to be on a winning football team.”
The trade comes on the heels of an abysmal 1-7 run by the Jets, which has seemingly ended their playoff aspirations this season. Gardner will be part of a Colts secondary that is 7-2 for the season and has been the biggest surprise of the season.
Sauce Gardner’s arrival expected to bolster Colts’ secondary
Although the Jets brought in first year coach Aaron Glenn in the offseason with the hopes of ending their playoff drought, New York lost seven consecutive games to start the season. Their losing record led to the team parting ways with their franchise cornerstone, who was expected to lead the team’s rebuild under Glenn.
Although Sauce Gardner seemingly regressed last season after two Pro Bowl seasons with the Jets, the 25-year-old cornerback remains an elite asset to any team. His move emphasises the Colts’ aspirations of a deep playoff run this season.
Gardner will be under pressure to deliver in Indianapolis as the All-Pro cornerback has never made a playoff appearance in his NFL career and has struggled with missed tackles this season.