Overview
- Indianapolis acquired Sauce Gardner for two first‑round picks and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell, while Dallas landed Quinnen Williams for a first, a second and defensive tackle Mazi Smith.
- The Jets now hold two first‑rounders and two seconds in 2026 plus three first‑round picks in 2027, giving them eight selections in the first two rounds across those drafts.
- Colts leaders treated Gardner as a win‑now upgrade after exploring other cornerback options, with multiple reports framing the price as a bet on their current window with Daniel Jones.
- ESPN reporting cited league and internal evaluations flagging Gardner’s low interception totals and higher penalty rate, context some executives said influenced his valuation.
- Jets GM Darren Mougey asked the Colts to delay announcing the Gardner trade until after Nick Mangold’s funeral, and reactions followed across the league, including Gardner sending signed Colts jerseys to two young Jets fans.