This season has been a huge disaster for the Indianapolis Colts, as they sit at 2-5 this year. Following their latest 16-10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, the Colts decided to move on from a star player.
The Ringer's and Netflix's Tom Pelissero reported that the Colts are trading guard Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks for a 2027 third-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick. Pelissero added that there is no one off-limits on this Colts roster, and with a rebuild on the horizon, it opens the door to all trades.
With the Colts in desperate need of more assets, the idea of a Sauce Gardner isn't off the table. They gave up two first-rounders for him, along with receiver AD Mitchell, so they could look to recoup some of the assets that were dealt out.
Colts could consider moving on from Sauce Gardner ahead of trade deadline
The fact that it's been reported that NO ONE on the team is untouchable creates real conversations. Nelson is already out the door. Jonathan Taylor, Josh Downs, and DeForest Buckner could follow next.
When you look at the rest of the team, Gardner is a player who has the most value and could likely fetch a second-round pick in return. Since coming to Indy, Gardner has still played well, but it hasn't impacted the team in the win/loss column.
He's dealing with a calf strain for the second straight season and is listed as week-to-week. There isn't an official timeframe for his return, and with this team clearly looking ahead to 2027, this has to be discussed.
With plenty of teams eyeing a deep postseason run, getting a cover corner like Gardner would be enticing for multiple orgs.
Sauce Gardner isn't a lock to stick with Indy
This season wasn't going according to plan for Gardner. In six games, he allowed 11 catches (18 targets) for 226 yards and one touchdown. He's also allowing a career-high 123.6 passer rating.
For whatever reason, he wasn't playing at the same level that he was earlier in his career. But when he's in that mode, Gardner is one of the better CBs in the game.
Season | Targets | Catches | Receiving Yards | Receiving Touchdowns Allowed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2025 | 41 | 23 | 318 | 2 |
2024 | 48 | 25 | 398 | 1 |
2023 | 51 | 29 | 357 | 2 |
2022 | 83 | 40 | 463 | 3 |
This production is why the Colts felt comfortable moving off two first-rounders for him, but as things have played out, it was the wrong move. The odds are high that Shane Steichen will be fired, and there will be a new regime calling the shots.
With no first-rounder in 2027, they are behind the eight ball. If a team calls and offers a second-round pick for Gardner, it shouldn't be off the table. The Colts are in a position where they are seeking to collect assets for the future, and when you look at the roster, Gardner is one of their most valuable pieces.
Pelissero's report that no one is off limits is eye-popping. It means that for the right price, anyone could be moved, and if the Colts get a nice offer for Gardner, there's a chance that they pull the trigger. They are already open for business, and the Nelson move proves that.
How they respond in the coming days and weeks will be interesting to see, but there's a world the Colts admit their whiff and move on from Gardner as they clear the deck.
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