The Indianapolis Colts' offense has been on a roll throughout the 2025 season, but the defense needed a little bit of help. As the trade deadline approached, Colts fans let out a collective sigh as no trades went through. However, the new Colts' Owner, Charlie Irsay-Gordon, had different plans.
Throughout the tenure of Chris Ballard, a big criticism of his operation of the team has always been his lack of big moves in free agency and in the trade market. Outside of DeForest Buckner, the Colts have largely avoided major trades for positions of need. This year, sitting at 6-1 and placing their best corner on IR, the Colts reached out to a struggling team looking to rebuild.
Trading any player in their prime is always a risk, but trading for an elite cornerback is even more of a risk. Sauce Gardner has consistently been one of the best corners in the league since 2022, when he was drafted. The Jets have done a fantastic job at developing the young player, but with the Jets sitting at 1-6, teams reached out to see if their star players are on the block.
Charlie Irsay-Gordon convinced Chris Ballard that the Colts are in 'win now' mode
As Irsay-Gordon put it, "Do you want to band-aid it or fix it for the long term?" Later that day, Gardner became a Colt. In one fell swoop, the Colts fixed a major hole with a player in his prime on a long-term contract. Even better, he fits the Lou Anarumo scheme and can follow the opposing teams' best receiver.
The Indianapolis Colts have leveraged their future as their 7-2 start means they are a legit contender in the NFL for the Super Bowl in 2025. Chris Ballard has done a very good job at filling the holes and the needs of the team to make a deep playoff run in 2025.
Although the offense has slowed down in recent weeks, the Colts are heading into a bye week to rest up and hopefully, we can see Ward and Gardner on the field together soon for what is soon to be the best cornerback duo in the league.
The Colts enter the bye week, and the team could use some much-needed rest as they continue their historic season. Next week, the Colts take on the Kansas City Chiefs in Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs will be a good test for the Colts, as they have largely played weaker teams.
The Chiefs are sitting at 5-4 and have something to prove after that poor Super Bowl performance against the Eagles.