The Indianapolis Colts did the most un-Colts thing of the past decade by trading for All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner, formerly of the New York Jets. Gardner is in his fourth season in the NFL, and in his first two seasons was First-Team All-Pro. His career quarterback rating allowed is 77.5.
Indianapolis is inarguably improved by making a move for Gardner. One of the team's most glaring issues was a cornerback, mostly because of the number of injuries the team has suffered. Even if the team were completely healthy, though, Sauce Gardner would be an upgrade.
General manager Chris Ballard knows it, too. He is in his ninth season as the GM of the Colts, and has only made one trade deadline move before 2025. Ballard not only set expectations low that he would do much of anything as far as in-season trades, but when he did, he made one of the biggest moves in Indianapolis history.
Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard responds to Sauce Gardner trade
His response to the move, though, might make it seem as if he just traded for a fourth-rounder who might be good depth at inside linebacker. At least, he gave a classy shoutout to wide receiver Adonai Mitchell, who was in the proverbial doghouse after two critical mistakes in a Week 4 loss.
Ballard said, in part, "Having the opportunity to acquire a talented player like Sauce Gardner was one we did not want to pass on. He was a player we scouted heavily coming out of college...Sauce is a proven cornerback. His skill and competitive nature will elevate everyone's play on the defensive unit. We're thrilled he's a Colt."
All of that is true, of course, but said in classic Chris Ballard style. He is nothing if not metronomic in his mannerisms. No doubt, Indianapolis Colts fans are uproariously happy with what Indy did at the 2025 trade deadline. Ballard is more tempered in his approach.
To be fair, that is how he should be. A coach and general manager can't change much emotionally week to week. They must be more observant and measured. Plus, while Sauce Gardner is almost certainly a fantastic addition to a team that badly needed cornerback depth, Gardner still has to prove his worth to the Colts.
Will he? Most likely. He is also signed through 2029, so the Colts are set at cornerback for the foreseeable future with Gardner and Charvarius Ward. Today was a good day for Indy football fans, and Chris Ballard likely knows it, even if he doesn't show it.