The Indianapolis Colts pulled off a major trade on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, sending two first-round draft picks and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell to the New York Jets for cornerback Sauce Gardner.
The 25-year-old Gardner, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, is in his fourth season. He was the Defensive Rookie of the Year in ’22, and was a first-team All-Pro in ’22 and ’23.
Here’s what you should know about Gardner.
Why is Gardner’s name Sauce?
His first name is Ahmad, but a youth football coach gave him the “Sauce” nickname. The coach initially called him “A1” — after the steak sauce — but later amended it. Gardner liked it, as it represents his confidence and style of play.
Who is Sauce Gardner?
Sauce Gardner is a 25-year-old cornerback for the Indianapolis Colts, who obtained him on Nov. 4, 2025, in a trade with the New York Jets.
The 4th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft was in his fourth season with the Jets. Gardner had 3 interceptions, 46 passes defended and 201 tackles, winning Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2022 (2 INTs, 20 passes defended, 75 tackles).
Gardner went to the University of Cincinnati, where he had 9 interceptions and 99 tackles over three seasons, earning All-America honors in 2021.
What is Sauce Gardner’s salary?
Sauce Gardner signed a four-year contract extension worth up to $120.4 million with the New York Jets before the 2025 season. Here is what he counts toward the salary cap, according to Over the Cap:
Sauce Gardner stats
Sauce Gardner appeared in seven games for the New York Jets in 2025, with 20 tackles and 6 passes defended.
Sauce Gardner dated Ice Spice
During the summer, Sauce Gardner acknowledged a relationship with rapper Ice Spice, saying they have a lot in common: talented in their field, living in New York, getting “hated on” a lot. Gardner said he first met Ice Spice through the taping of “The Shop” with LeBron James.
Joel A. Erickson and Nathan Brown cover the Colts all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Who is Sauce Gardner? What you should know about new Indianapolis Colts cornerback, name, stats, salary, Ice Spice
Reporting by Scott Horner, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
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