The first blockbuster of the 2025 NFL trade deadline is here.
On Tuesday, the Jets stunningly decided to trade two-time first team All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner to the Colts in exchange for two first-round picks and wide receiver AD Mitchell, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported.
The #Jets are getting 2 first-rounders and WR AD Mitchell for Sauce Gardner. pic.twitter.com/96JXUNsMY5
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 4, 2025
After starting the season 1-7, the Jets were expected to be sellers at the deadline this year. Trading Gardner, a star cornerback and young building block on the team, was not expected—especially after they recently signed him to a four-year, $120 million extension that made him the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history.
Now Gardner heads to a Colts team that has been one of the biggest surprises of the season, and will boost their chances at contending by bringing a top cornerback to the team.
After the surprising trade, here’s a look at some of the top reactions from across the NFL.
BREAKING NEWS: Sauce Gardner has been traded to the Indianapolis Colts..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) November 4, 2025
WELCOME TO INDIANAPOLIS #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/Q8MakdC6gu
WOW. A massive trade
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) November 4, 2025
The Colts land a premier corner and the Jets get a gigantic package in return. https://t.co/TXkH8OHXun
I said they were looking for a serviceable corner. But I didn’t say all this! Sheesh! https://t.co/wnUOkLzc2Q
— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) November 4, 2025
Sauce Gardner being traded is one of the most shocking trades I can ever remember. https://t.co/C2Rb3YIyOR
— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) November 4, 2025
The #Jets just extended Sauce Gardner. They viewed him as a building block and cornerstone of franchise at time.
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) November 4, 2025
What a difference a few weeks make.
They’re trading him to #Colts
— Isaiah Rodgers Sr. (@rodgers_isaiah) November 4, 2025
I need to see if anything changed in the Gardner contract. The Colts might have a ridiculously good contract for the next five years.
— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) November 4, 2025
The Colts have been looking for a corner for a few weeks. But this is more than just that—a BIG swing for a 7-2 Indy team.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) November 4, 2025
Per Sources...@Colts are trading for Sauce Gardner...let's GOOOOOO COLTS
— Dan Dakich (@dandakich) November 4, 2025
sauce gardner after waking up and going from the worst team in the nfl to a super bowl contender pic.twitter.com/uUYGDsCiSA
— wok (@dontsipwok) November 4, 2025
More NFL on Sports Illustrated
This article was originally published on www.si.com as NFL World Reacts to Jets Shockingly Trading Sauce Gardner to Colts.
