The New York Jets pulled off a blockbuster trade ahead of the Tuesday, November 4, NFL deadline.
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport revealed that the Indianapolis Colts are sending a 2026 first-round pick, a 2027 first-round pick, and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell in exchange for former two-time All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner.
Top Social Media Reactions to Gardner Being Shipped Off
“New York it’s been real💚,” Gardner posted on X previously Twitter.
“An absolute stunner. Gardner traded to the Colts,” ESPN’s Rich Cimini posted.
“The Jets just extended Sauce Gardner. They viewed him as a building block and cornerstone of franchise at time. What a difference a few weeks make. They’re trading him to Colts,” NFL Insider Connor Hughes of SNY said.
“Sauce Gardner is an All-Pro cornerback, but Draft Picks could be anything! They could even be an All-Pro cornerback!” Bet MGM posted on social media with a Family Guy meme.
“2 first round picks for Sauce Gardner???? Chris Ballard is crazy all of a sudden? What an outstanding trade for Jets. I think Gardner is a good player, but he isn’t one of the few guys I would value like this at this position. And then there is attitude/tackling/effort stuff,” NFL analyst Jon Ledyard responded.
What an outstanding trade for Jets. I think Gardner is a good player, but he isn’t one of the few guys I would value like this at this position. And then there is attitude/tackling/effort stuff.
“Sauce Gardner picked up 6 wins today. Nice work if you can get it,” NFL Insider Mike Silver jokingly said.
“The Colts get Sauce Gardner at the league minimum for the rest of the season, then …
• $25.5 million in 2026
• $24.95 million in 2027
• $20.2 million in 2028
… Because they’re inheriting a deal done two years early, the numbers are VERY reasonable for a top corner,” NFL Insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated explained.
• $25.5 million in 2026 • $24.95 million in 2027 • $20.2 million in 2028
… Because they’re inheriting a deal done two years early, the numbers are VERY reasonable for a top corner.
“Sauce Gardner has not allowed more than two receptions to a single receiver in a game this season 👀 He has forced a tight window on 61.9% of his targets, the highest rate of any player targeted at least 5 times in coverage, per @NextGenStats,” the official NFL Plus social media account posted.
Jets Pick up an Interesting Pass Catcher
Mitchell, 23, entered the league as the No. 52 overall pick in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft.
The former Georgia and Texas product has appeared in 25 games and has made eight starts. Mitchell has registered 32 receptions for 464 receiving yards and has failed to score a touchdown at the NFL level.
He was set to score the first touchdown of his NFL career in Week 4 against the Los Angeles Rams this season.
With 11:43 remaining in the third quarter, Colts quarterback Daniel Jones found Mitchell deep for what appeared to be a 75-yard touchdown to take the lead. However, upon further review, Mitchell lost control of the ball before scoring. That made it a touchback, and the Rams got the ball instead.
INDvsLAR on FOX/FOX One t.co/HkKw7uXnxV
The Colts lost that game 27-20—a career-worst moment for the young pass catcher.
Mitchell still has two and a half years remaining on his $7.38 million rookie contract. This provides the Jets with another young wide receiver to develop in their room next to Garrett Wilson.
However, it leaves a massive void in the Jets’ secondary.
Social Media Erupts After Jets Trade Sauce Gardner to Colts