In what can be considered the biggest trade of the 2025 NFL trade deadline, the Indianapolis Colts acquired two-time Pro Bowler Sauce Gardner from the New York Jets. In exchange, the Colts sent two first-round picks and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell to New York.
The secondary had been the Colts’ one weakness this season, as the team was allowing 244.8 passing yards per game, the seventh most in the league. Gardner will be an immediate asset to defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo and the rest of the defensive unit. With the addition of the former All-Pro, one NFL analyst believes it could boost another key area for the Colts.
### Sauce Gardner Helps Defensive Line
The defensive line was one of the biggest strengths for the Colts in the 2024 season and remains their biggest strength entering the new season. Led by three-time Pro Bowler defensive tackle DeForest Buckner and promising second-year EDGE rusher Laiatu Latu, the Colts’ D-line is poised for success.
NBC Sports analyst Chris Simms weighed in on the impact of acquiring Gardner during his show, *Chris Simms Unbuttoned*. “Where [trading for Gardner] can maybe help, maybe Lou Anarumo can give him a little more confidence in blitzing,” Simms said. “I think that’s where you at least look at it and go, ‘that can help the pass rush.’ It gives them a little more flexibility. It gives the defensive coordinator a little more confidence to go, ‘I trust my back end maybe to dabble in man-to-man just a few more snaps every game now’ to where I can send something kind of off the radar, blitz pressure.”
Gardner now joins a team with one of the best records in the league and a defense that only allows 20.1 points per game, the seventh fewest in the NFL. He is expected to be a cornerstone of the Colts’ defense moving forward, especially after the team committed to his four-year, $120.4 million contract.
### Turning a Weakness into a Strength
Recognizing the secondary as a top priority, the Indianapolis Colts went all-in during free agency, spending over $100 million to upgrade the position.
Indy signed safety Camryn Bynum to a four-year, $60 million contract and cornerback Charvarius Ward to a three-year, $54 million deal. Pairing Gardner with Ward gives the Colts one of the best cornerback duos in the league, significantly strengthening their secondary.
Ward is currently on injured reserve with a concussion but is expected to return to the field in a couple of weeks. Once healthy, the tandem of Gardner and Ward could pose significant challenges for opposing quarterbacks and wide receivers alike.
With these final moves, the Colts have polished their roster and positioned themselves as serious contenders making a deep run in this year’s playoffs.
https://heavy.com/sports/nfl/indianapolis-colts/sauce-gardner-trade-helps-colts-dline/
