Following his shocking trade from the New York Jets to the Indianapolis Colts on Tuesday, cornerback Sauce Gardner reacted to a video of a young fan expressing his dismay over the move.
In response to a viral video of a child crying, screaming and stomping his feet after being informed of the trade, Gardner gifted the fan a pair of signed Colts jerseys:
It came after he joked that the father “should’ve at least waited til tomorrow” before breaking the news:
On a trade deadline day that featured multiple big moves, none was more surprising or significant than the Jets shipping Gardner to the Colts.
Despite having just signed Gardner to a four-year, $120.4 million contract extension in July, the Jets decided to part with him less than four months later.
Amid a 1-7 start, the Jets sent Gardner to the Colts in exchange for a 2026 first-round pick, a 2027 first-round pick and second-year wide receiver Adonai Mitchell.
That was only the start of the Jets’ fire sale, though, as they also agreed to send three-time Pro Bowl and one-time First Team All-Pro defensive tackle Quinnen Williams to the Dallas Cowboys for a 2026 second-round pick, a 2027 first-round pick and defensive tackle Mazi Smith.
The 25-year-old Gardner brought back the biggest haul, which is unsurprising given his age and history of success.
Originally selected fourth overall by the Jets in the 2022 NFL draft, Gardner was a Pro Bowler and First Team All-Pro in each of his first two seasons, along with being the 2022 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
He was neither a Pro Bowler nor All-Pro last season, finishing with 49 tackles and nine passes defended, but he did record only the third interception of his career.
So far this season, Gardner has 20 tackles, six passes defended and no picks in seven games played.
Now, Gardner goes from the bottom of the AFC to the top, as the Colts are tied for the best record in the conference at 7-2.
Gardner hasn’t done much winning at all during his NFL career thus far, but he has been thrust into a playoff race, and has a chance to make a sizable impact for a contending team.
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