Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Colts Land Sauce Gardner for Two Firsts and AD Mitchell in Late Deadline Blockbuster

The price reflects Indianapolis' bet on an immediate title window over future draft flexibility.

Overview

  • The Colts announced the trade less than two hours before the deadline, sending 2026 and 2027 first-round picks and wideout Adonai Mitchell to the Jets for the two-time All-Pro cornerback.
  • ESPN reporting details that Indianapolis began talks weeks earlier as the Jets set a 'Micah Parsons-like' asking price, with the Colts ultimately improving their offer and New York insisting on Mitchell's inclusion.
  • Gardner debuted in Berlin with a strong Pro Football Focus grade, limiting Atlanta's Drake London to two catches for 26 yards on four targets in a promising first outing for Indianapolis.
  • The deal leaves Indianapolis light on 2026 draft capital and boosted its Super Bowl price to +1000 at DraftKings, and quarterback Daniel Jones said the move 'definitely gives you confidence.'
  • New York accelerates a reset after also trading Quinnen Williams, now holding multiple first-rounders in 2026 and 2027 and gaining significant cap flexibility following Gardner's July extension coming off the books.