INDIANAPOLIS – The Indianapolis Colts have made a significant move to enhance their roster by acquiring cornerback Sauce Gardner from the New York Jets, just before the NFL trade deadline. The Colts traded two first-round draft picks and receiver Adonai Mitchell for Gardner, signaling their intent to compete for the Super Bowl this season.
Gardner joined his new teammates for practice on Wednesday and plans to play against the Atlanta Falcons in Berlin if he clears concussion protocol, as confirmed by head coach Shane Steichen. The star cornerback suffered a concussion during the Jets’ Week 8 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, and with New York having a bye last week, Gardner had not yet completed the necessary protocol.
Colts Embrace Ambitious Goals
Steichen emphasized the importance of Gardner’s presence, stating, “That’s the plan,” regarding his potential debut. This trade represents one of the boldest decisions in franchise history and has energized both the Colts’ front office and the players. Currently tied for the best record in the NFL at 7-2, the team aims to capitalize on this momentum.
Quarterback Daniel Jones expressed his belief in the team’s capabilities, stating, “They obviously believe in our team and we can do this year. This year, we’ve played well. There’s still a lot in front of us, and we’ve got to continue to improve and play well week to week.” Jones highlighted how the trade boosts the players’ confidence, reinforcing their commitment to achieving their goals.
The atmosphere in the locker room shifted dramatically upon the players’ return from a day off, with linebacker Zaire Franklin describing the excitement as the best morning greeting since joining the team. He noted, “It’s definitely great energy just knowing that the organization and management is believing in what you’ve got going on. You want to make them right.”
Strengthening the Defense
With the addition of Gardner, the Colts are poised to create one of the NFL’s most formidable defensive backfields. Alongside Gardner, the secondary will feature cornerback Charvarius Ward, slot corner Kenny Moore II, and safeties Camryn Bynum and Nick Cross. This bolstered defense aims to complement an already prolific offense led by Jones and league rushing leader Jonathan Taylor.
Receiver Alec Pierce, a close friend and former college teammate of Gardner, believes the new environment will invigorate him. “I think being in this environment and being on a team that has a good record, I think that’ll bring out the best out of him,” Pierce remarked. “I’m excited to see what he can do.”
The Colts are focused on maintaining their strong performance as they prepare for the upcoming match against the Falcons, with hopes that Gardner will seamlessly integrate into their game plan. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Gardner and the impact he has on the Colts’ playoff aspirations.
