Indianapolis Colts star cornerback Sauce Gardner revealed that he was 'running circles in the house' upon learning that he'd been traded by the New York Jets
17:40 ET, 06 Nov 2025
Sauce Gardner stands on the field while wearing pads and a jersey
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Sauce Gardner shed light on his immediate reaction upon learning that he'd been traded to the Colts(Image: Getty Images)
Star cornerback Sauce Gardner could hardly contain his excitement upon learning that he’d been traded to the Indianapolis Colts.
On Tuesday, the New York Jets sent shockwaves across the NFL by dealing Gardner to the Colts in exchange for two first-round picks (2026, '27) and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell.
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For Gardner, the change of scenery from a downtrodden franchise to a Super Bowl contender was a dream come true.
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Moments after getting off the phone with Jets general manager Darren Mougey, a handful of hours before the trade deadline, the 25-year-old responded to the news by "running in circles in the house."
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“I was like, ‘Please let it be my ideal situation. I don’t want to go to a losing team,’” Gardner told reporters on Wednesday. “‘I don’t want to go to a team on the other side of the world.’ “And then he told me the Colts.
“I’m not gonna lie. I didn’t even have time to process it all the way. I just knew I was coming to a great situation.
"I was running in circles in the house, because the first thing I’m thinking is, ‘I’m gonna be back with my boy, Alec, and they’re winning right now. And I knew what I could add, and I was happy. I didn’t have time to be like, ‘Dang, I’m getting traded.’”
As if going from the 1-7 Jets to 7-2 Colts wasn’t sweet enough, Gardner additionally reunited with his former college teammate Alec Pierce, who he lined up against every day in practice at Cincinnati. Now based in Indianapolis, the Detroit native also finds himself far closer to home.
Sauce Gardner stands on the field
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Gardner was traded by the Jets to the Colts in exchange for two first-round picks and Adonai Mitchell(Image: Getty Images)
"When he told me the Colts — obviously I got drafted there and everything like that, but I want to win and things like that — I was like, 'This is a great situation,'" Gardner added.
"Obviously knowing a few guys on the team already, being closer to home, being closer to where I went to college, God just keeps blessing me in many ways. It's truly a blessing to be here. And my favorite color is blue, so it just worked out perfect."
Gardner conceded that he hardly expected to be dealt at this year’s trade deadline, especially after inking a four-year, $120.4 million extension with the Jets back in July. Regardless, the two-time Pro Bowler asserted that he harbors no ill will towards the team that drafted him.
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“It was less about the Jets wanting to trade me and more about the Colts wanting me to be here,” Gardner explained. “That’s truly a blessing, and it’s a great group of guys in here, so that’s what makes it even more special.
“I’m just ready to be a part of something special that they were already building here, and I’m just looking to add a lot on and off the field.
“I’m not looking at this like I was the missing piece. I think I can be a great additional piece to the defense that was already here.”