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Indianapolis Colts CB Sauce Gardner talks about his personal and team goals for 2026. (video via Jake Arthur/ColtsRoundtable)
The Indianapolis Colts made an enormous trade at the NFL's deadline last year, sending two first-round draft picks and wide receiver AD Mitchell to the New York Jets in exchange for cornerback Sauce Gardner.
While that's an expensive trade no matter how you look at it, the Colts had both the present and future in mind.
Gardner, who cleared up the misunderstanding about his age last month, will turn 25 just before this season and has already played four years in the NFL. He's also contractually locked in through 2030.
When CBS Sports' Tyler Sullivan recently ranked the top 25 players in the NFL under 25, he placed Gardner at No. 23.
"The Colts gave up a haul last season to acquire Sauce Gardner, shipping two first-round picks and receiver Adonai Mitchell to the Jets," Sullivan wrote. "Gardner has the talent to be the best player at his position and already has two first-team All-Pro nods on his résumé.
"That said, there have also been some ebbs during his young career, which is why we're keeping him in the bottom half of this list. If he lives up to the price tag Indy paid this season, he'll reestablish himself as one of the NFL's top young cornerbacks."
Gardner, who was also recently named the NFL's ninth-best corner, came into the NFL with a bang, winning the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award in 2022 and earning First-Team All-Pro and Pro Bowler honors in 2022 and 2023.
Gardner's initial time in Indianapolis hasn't gone to plan, though. After being traded, he played in just two full games for the Colts and made four total appearances because of a calf injury. In total, he had 16 tackles and three pass breakups.
When on the field in 2025, Gardner graded well, according to Pro Football Focus, allowing a 48.6% completion percentage when targeted while tying for second in the NFL among corners in forced incompletion rate (26%). His overall defensive grade (76.9) ranked ninth.
Colts secondary coach/pass game coordinator Chris Hewitt recently spoke highly about what Gardner brings to the table.
"Well, he's a guy that sees the big picture," Hewitt began. "But along with that, you've still got to be a great technician and know what's about to happen to you as a player. So pre-snap looks, all your studies throughout the week. He does a great job of doing that, retaining the information, knowing what looks he's about to expect, and being able to have an opportunity to go make plays on the ball. So, he's definitely one of those guys that's always a step ahead."
While rookies were ineligible for Sullivan's 25-Under-25 list, keep an eye out for Colts rookies CJ Allen and A.J. Haulcy for future consideration on such lists.
Continue reading...
The Indianapolis Colts made an enormous trade at the NFL's deadline last year, sending two first-round draft picks and wide receiver AD Mitchell to the New York Jets in exchange for cornerback Sauce Gardner.
While that's an expensive trade no matter how you look at it, the Colts had both the present and future in mind.
Gardner, who cleared up the misunderstanding about his age last month, will turn 25 just before this season and has already played four years in the NFL. He's also contractually locked in through 2030.
When CBS Sports' Tyler Sullivan recently ranked the top 25 players in the NFL under 25, he placed Gardner at No. 23.
"The Colts gave up a haul last season to acquire Sauce Gardner, shipping two first-round picks and receiver Adonai Mitchell to the Jets," Sullivan wrote. "Gardner has the talent to be the best player at his position and already has two first-team All-Pro nods on his résumé.
"That said, there have also been some ebbs during his young career, which is why we're keeping him in the bottom half of this list. If he lives up to the price tag Indy paid this season, he'll reestablish himself as one of the NFL's top young cornerbacks."
Gardner, who was also recently named the NFL's ninth-best corner, came into the NFL with a bang, winning the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award in 2022 and earning First-Team All-Pro and Pro Bowler honors in 2022 and 2023.
Gardner's initial time in Indianapolis hasn't gone to plan, though. After being traded, he played in just two full games for the Colts and made four total appearances because of a calf injury. In total, he had 16 tackles and three pass breakups.
When on the field in 2025, Gardner graded well, according to Pro Football Focus, allowing a 48.6% completion percentage when targeted while tying for second in the NFL among corners in forced incompletion rate (26%). His overall defensive grade (76.9) ranked ninth.
Colts secondary coach/pass game coordinator Chris Hewitt recently spoke highly about what Gardner brings to the table.
"Well, he's a guy that sees the big picture," Hewitt began. "But along with that, you've still got to be a great technician and know what's about to happen to you as a player. So pre-snap looks, all your studies throughout the week. He does a great job of doing that, retaining the information, knowing what looks he's about to expect, and being able to have an opportunity to go make plays on the ball. So, he's definitely one of those guys that's always a step ahead."
While rookies were ineligible for Sullivan's 25-Under-25 list, keep an eye out for Colts rookies CJ Allen and A.J. Haulcy for future consideration on such lists.
Continue reading...
