The Jets have been anticipated to be energetic throughout Tuesday’s commerce deadline.
However Gang Inexperienced shockingly traded one among its franchise gamers.
The Jets traded cornerback Sauce Gardner to the Colts for his or her 2026 and 2027 first-round picks and extensive receiver Adonai Mitchell, in accordance with a supply. NFL Community was the primary to report the commerce.
Briefly earlier than the commerce was reported, Gardner posted on X, “New York, it’s been real.”
Gardner, 25, was drafted fourth general within the 2022 NFL Draft and has been one of many faces of the Jets group for the previous 4 seasons. So, the Jets buying and selling the two-time All-Professional was completely beautiful.
Gardner signed a four-year, $120.4 million contract extension with the Jets in July forward of coaching camp, which made him the highest-paid cornerback within the NFL with a median annual worth of $30.1 million.
Ever since he was drafted by the Jets, Gardner has arguably been among the finest cornerbacks within the NFL. He received the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Yr award in 2022. Gardner can also be the one cornerback since 1970 to be chosen as a first-team All-Professional in every of his first two seasons.
In seven video games this season (missed Week 8 because of a concussion), Gardner registered 20 tackles and 6 move breakups. However apparently, the primary two first-round picks have been an excessive amount of for the Jets to move up, contemplating their file.
The Jets started the season at 0-7 earlier than securing their first win in opposition to the Bengals on October 26, earlier than their bye. Now Gardner will be part of a Colts workforce that has the most effective file within the AFC at 7-2.
As for the Jets, they’re nearly definitely on monitor to overlook the playoffs for the fifteenth consecutive season, which is the longest drought in North American sports activities. Additionally they haven’t completed with a successful file since 2015 (10-6).
Gang Inexperienced will possible transfer ahead with rookie Azareye’h Thomas and Brandon Stephens as its beginning cornerbacks. Thomas began in opposition to the Bengals in Week 8 after Gardner’s concussion. He completed with six tackles, however Joe Flacco accomplished a 44-yard landing move to Tee Higgins with Thomas in protection.
The Jets now have 4 first-round picks within the subsequent two years. They may nearly definitely be available in the market for a brand new quarterback in 2026, and now the Jets have the ammunition to maneuver up the draft board if wanted.
The receiver place stays a big want for the Jets, they usually additionally add a younger participant with potential in Mitchell. He was chosen within the second spherical of the 2024 NFL Draft out of Texas. He solely had 9 receptions for 152 yards this yr for the Colts.
Mitchell is principally remembered for his third-quarter mistake in opposition to the Rams in Week 4 this season. He dropped the ball earlier than crossing the objective line in what would have been a 76-yard landing reception. The Rams defeated the Colts 27-20.
