NFL trades don’t happen out of thin air. The Indianapolis Colts’ acquisition of cornerback Sauce Gardner from the New York Jets is an example of making big things happen over several weeks.
Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated recounts the deals the Jets made at the trade deadline that yielded them several first- and second-round draft picks. The Colts gave up first-rounders in 2026 and ’27, and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell, for Gardner. New York also sent defensive lineman Quinnen Williams to the Dallas Cowboys.
Feelers went out shortly after Charvarius Ward collided with Drew Ogletree during pregame warmups in Week 6. Colts assistant general manager Ed Dodds talked with Jets GM Darren Mougey, who said he would listen to offers for any Jets defensive player.
Dodds relayed the information to Ballard, who also talked with Mougey and brought up the possibility of trading for a starter.
Fast-forward three weeks, and with the sides in the same ballpark as the trade deadline loomed, Ballard approached team co-owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon about a possible deal for Gardner. Irsay-Gordon asked Ballard a simple question:
“Do you want to Band-Aid it or fix it for the long term?”
Ballard decided to make the move that he hopes fixes the Colts’ cornerback issues. When Ward returns, they will have Gardner, Ward, Kenny Moore and Jaylon Jones, with injured rookie Justin Walley returning next season.
Breer’s story also details the secrecy surrounding the deal, even within the Colts’ facility, and Ballard juggling conversations with the Jets and Irsay-Gordon. The deal was completed Tuesday morning but wasn’t announced until the afternoon at the Jets’ request because a lot of team personnel attended the funeral for former Jets player Nick Mangold that morning.
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: The question Carlie Irsay-Gordon asked Chris Ballard before Colts traded for Sauce Gardner
Reporting by Scott Horner, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
