If you have a New York Jets fan in your life, give them a call.
Sauce Gardner, the teams' former first round pick back in 2022, has been traded to the Indianapolis Colts in what could shape up to be the biggest trade ahead of this year's deadline. Gardner has been sent to the NFC powerhouse in exchange for a 2026 and 2027 first round pick, as well as former first rounder AD Mitchell per Ian Rapoport.
Of course, there's always a local angle to some national news, and Gardner has quite the connection to the Detroit Lions - former fellow Jets cornerback D.J. Reed. Reed left the Jets this offseason to sign a deal with the Lions, and had a good start for the team prior to landing on the IR.
Both have now escaped New York, putting an end to what once looked like one of the best defensive eras in a while for the Jets. And, Reed is clearly taken aback by this news given his perfect reaction to it shared on social media on Tuesday:
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β DJ Reed (@D7_Reed) November 4, 2025
Reed reacts to blockbuster trade of Gardner to the Colts
With the Colts sitting at 7-2 on the year, they're shaping up to be the Lions' biggest threat to a title run in the NFC. While Detroit doesn't square off with Indianapolis at all in the regular season, there's a great chance they meet up in the postseason. Gardner further adds to their power, as he's one of the best defenders in coverage in the NFL this season.
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Reed and Gardner played well for New York the last three seasons before Reed walked for the NFC. But, they join a lengthy list of Jets players that either never panned out with the franchise or who were shipped off for a whopping pick package. Jamal Adams' trade likely comes to mind for Jets fans who are dealing with the aftermath of this move.
The signing of Reed looks a whole lot better now, as the Jets are clearly asking for quite the package for their premier defenders now. Jermaine Johnson is still available, and he could still be a target worth exploring for the Lions if they'd like to reinforce their pass rush.