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Indianapolis Colts’ cornerback Sauce Gardner will enter the 2026 campaign with massive expectations following an injury-ridden start to his career in Indianapolis.
The Colts acquired Gardner in a trade with the New York Jets last season, as Indy sent their 2026 and 2027 first-round picks to New York in addition to wide receiver Adonai Mitchell.
Gardner has been widely regarded as one of the top corners in the league across the past four seasons, and the veteran will enter the year fully healthy following a series of calf injuries that sidelined him at the end of the season in 2025.
When the Colts made the trade for Gardner, GM Chris Ballard saw the opportunity to land a young and already accomplished cornerback who was also under contract for the next several seasons.
Gardner is one of only three cornerbacks in football to earn multiple AP first-team All-Pro selections since he entered the league in 2022. Patrick Surtain ll and Derek Stingley Jr. are the only other defensive backs to earn the accolade over that time span.
This trio is widely regarded as three of the top players at their position group and across the NFL entering the 2026 season.
Despite his limited action with the Colts, Gardner showcased the impact he can make in Indianapolis. In those four contests, Gardner allowed a completion rate of 54%, giving up just 7.3 yards per catch, with three pass breakups.
His presence on the field also changed how Lou Anarumo called games, allowing the Colts' defensive coordinator to be much more aggressive.
The two-time AP First-Team All-Pro will look to return to form once again in 2026.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts' CB Sauce Gardner one of 3 players to accomplish this feat
Continue reading...
The Colts acquired Gardner in a trade with the New York Jets last season, as Indy sent their 2026 and 2027 first-round picks to New York in addition to wide receiver Adonai Mitchell.
Gardner has been widely regarded as one of the top corners in the league across the past four seasons, and the veteran will enter the year fully healthy following a series of calf injuries that sidelined him at the end of the season in 2025.
When the Colts made the trade for Gardner, GM Chris Ballard saw the opportunity to land a young and already accomplished cornerback who was also under contract for the next several seasons.
Gardner is one of only three cornerbacks in football to earn multiple AP first-team All-Pro selections since he entered the league in 2022. Patrick Surtain ll and Derek Stingley Jr. are the only other defensive backs to earn the accolade over that time span.
This trio is widely regarded as three of the top players at their position group and across the NFL entering the 2026 season.
Since Sauce Gardner entered the NFL, only three CBs have earned multiple AP First-Team All-Pro selections:
Sauce Gardner
Elite company. pic.twitter.com/Xjgxl2vMEO
— SleeperColts (@SleeperColts) May 17, 2026
Despite his limited action with the Colts, Gardner showcased the impact he can make in Indianapolis. In those four contests, Gardner allowed a completion rate of 54%, giving up just 7.3 yards per catch, with three pass breakups.
His presence on the field also changed how Lou Anarumo called games, allowing the Colts' defensive coordinator to be much more aggressive.
The two-time AP First-Team All-Pro will look to return to form once again in 2026.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts' CB Sauce Gardner one of 3 players to accomplish this feat
Continue reading...
