Indianapolis Colts Acquired two-time All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner from the New York Jets in a stunning trade ahead of Tuesday's NFL trade deadline, according to multiple reports.
In exchange, the Colts will send two first-round picks to New York in one of the biggest trades of the season. Gardner, the fourth overall pick in the 2022 draft, quickly established himself as one of the league's top defensive players, earning All-Pro honors in each of his first two years.
“New York, it was for real,” Gardner wrote with a green heart emoji. by X.
New York, it was for real💚
— SAUCE GARDNER (@iamSauceGardner) November 4, 2025
The move comes just months after Gardner signed a four-year, $120.4 million extension with the Jets, a deal that made him one of the highest-paid defensive backs in history. NFL story. His departure signals a major shift in New York's defense, which was built on his shutdown skills. The Jets appear poised to rebound after falling to a 1-7 record this season. The franchise hasn't made the playoffs since the 2010 season, the longest drought in the NFL.
For the 7-2 Colts, the trade represents a clear boost to Super Bowl contention. With Gardner joining a supporting cast that is already among the league's best, Indianapolis is betting big on an elite defense to help them make the playoffs.
It was the first of two major trades made by Jets general manager Darren Mugee before Tuesday's trade deadline. New York also agreed to trade cornerback Quinnen Williams to the Dallas Cowboys for a 2026 second-round draft pick, a 2027 first-round draft pick and cornerback Mazie Smith, two people with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity because the teams had not announced the trade.
On Tuesday, the Cowboys acquired linebacker Logan Wilson from the Cincinnati Bengals for a seventh-round pick. Hours ago The Cowboys lost to the Arizona Cardinals. On Monday night, to fall to 3-5-1, owner Jerry Jones said the team had an agreement to add a player who could improve the defense.
Wilson requested a trade after his playing time dwindled with the Bengals, who have the worst defense in the league. The Cowboys traded two-time All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons to Green Bay before the season, leaving a huge void that Wilson isn't filling.
“Some guys have the ability to see a certain key and take a step forward at the same time,” Jones said on his radio show on 105.3 The Fan. “He knows how to get into gaps right now… In terms of what we need right now, he can come in immediately and help us at linebacker.”
Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman, who led the Cowboys to three Super Bowls in the 1990s, ridiculed the deal during ESPN's broadcast of Monday's loss to the Cardinals.
“He might want to cancel the deal,” Aikman said. “I don’t think one player from what I saw tonight can make a difference for this group.”
NFL teams have until 4:00 pm ET on Tuesday to make the trade.
Meanwhile, the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles are playing aggressively. General manager Howie Roseman continues to add talented players to the team's chances of repeating.
Since the Eagles (6-2) last played a game, they have acquired forward Jaelan Phillips and cornerbacks Michael Carter II and Jaire Alexander.
Phillips, who arrived from Miami on Monday for a third-round pick, immediately bolsters the passing attack. The 2021 first-round draft pick has three sacks in his last five games for the Dolphins. All of Philadelphia's edge rushers have recorded three sacks this season.
Carter gives the defense an experienced cornerback to give defensive coordinator Vic Fangio more flexibility in using Cooper DeJean outside. A two-time Pro Bowl selection, Alexander is a low-risk, high-reward acquisition.
The Baltimore Ravens also added an edge rusher to the team, acquiring Dre'Mont Jones from Tennessee for a conditional fifth-round pick. Jones has 4.5 sacks this season, so he is an upgrade for the Ravens (3-5) at the position they need.
Several trades have already gone down in the past month. The Bengals acquired Joe Flacco. The Rams have added cornerback Roger McCreary. Defensive end Keyon White went to the 49ers. Safety Kyle Dugger was traded to the Steelers. The Jaguars and Browns traded defensive backs Greg Newsome II and Tyson Campbell.
The Chargers added edge rusher Odafe Owe in a deal that sent cornerback Alohi Gilman to the Ravens.
There are several high-quality players who could leave. Bengals All-Pro edge rusher Trey Hendrickson and Jets running back Breece Hall are among the biggest names mentioned in trade speculation.
