Colts' Sauce Gardner is not requesting a trade: 'I feel like I'm fit for a rebuild'

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Colts' Sauce Gardner is not requesting a trade: 'I feel like I'm fit for a rebuild'

Colts' Sauce Gardner is not requesting a trade: 'I feel like I'm fit for a rebuild'

Nathan Brown, Indianapolis Star · IndyStar | The Indianapolis Star

Wed, Oct 28, 2026 ·

3 min read

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INDIANAPOLIS – Sauce Garder was traded to be the Colts ' final piece to a Super Bowl contender.

A week shy of his one-year anniversary of arriving in Indianapolis, the 25-year-old All-Pro cornerback says he's ready to ride it out through a rebuild.

"For sure," Gardner told reporters Wednesday, less than 24 hours after the franchise's two longest-tenured pillars, guard Quenton Nelson and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner , were traded to spark a full rebuild by new principal team owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon eight days after longtime general manager Chris Ballard was fired. "Nothing's going to be perfect.

"I'm an optimistic thinker, so I just think when you go through a lot of bad things, good things can happen when you still stay down, stay level-headed and stay humble through it all so you can sustain that success, opposed to starting off when you have all this success, and then you don't know what it feels like to go through some ups and downs."

Sauce Gardner, Indianapolis Colts (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
(Cooper Neill, Getty Images)

Dec 28, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; IIndianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) and cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) warm up before a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images
(Robert Goddin, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Aug 29, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) reacts after a play against the Detroit Lions during the first half at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images
(Robert Goddin, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Aug 29, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) during warmups before the game against the Detroit Lions at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images
(Robert Goddin, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Indianapolis Colts cornerbacks Sauce Gardner (1) and Charvarius Ward (7) share a laugh Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026, before practice at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)

Indianapolis Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) guards fellow cornerback Rob Carter Jr. (39) during a drill Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026, during practice at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)

Indianapolis Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) works through practice drills Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026, during practice at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)

Aug 22, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) is seen prior to the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images
(Robert Goddin, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Jul 30, 2026; Westfield, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) participates in a drill on day two of training camp at Grand Park Sports Campus. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images
(Robert Goddin, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Jul 30, 2026; Westfield, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) and Indianapolis Colts safety Trey Washington (41) participate in a drill on day two of training camp at Grand Park Sports Campus. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images
(Robert Goddin, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Indianapolis Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) waits for his turn during a drill Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, during a joint practice with the Atlanta Falcons at Grand Park in Westfield.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - AUGUST 11: Sauce Gardner #1 of the Indianapolis Colts looks on during a joint practice with the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on August 11, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
(Billie Weiss, Getty Images)

Indianapolis Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) speaks to media members during the teamâ€™s veteran minicamp Thursday, June 11, 2026, at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar, Christine Tannous/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Indianapolis Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) leads a group of defensive backs to their next drill Wednesday, June 10, 2026, during minicamp at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center in Indianapolis.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar, Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Indianapolis Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) makes his way to his team area Wednesday, June 10, 2026, during minicamp at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center in Indianapolis.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)

Indianapolis Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner runs through drills on Thursday, November 6, 2025.
(Clark Wade/IndyStar, Clark Wade/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Indianapolis Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) reacts against the Atlanta Falcons during the NFL Berlin Game at Olympic Stadium on Nov. 9, 2025.
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)

BERLIN, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 09: Sauce Gardner, Kenny Moore II and Laquon Treadwell speak following the NFL 2025 game between Atlanta Falcons and Indianapolis Colts at Olympiastadion on November 09, 2025 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images)
(Maja Hitij, Getty Images)

Indianapolis Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) breaks up a pass intended for Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (7) on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, during a game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar, Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Indianapolis Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) attempts to walk off the field on his own following an injury Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, during a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)

New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) looks on from the sidelines during the third quarter against the Carolina Panthers at MetLife Stadium.
(Vincent Carchietta, Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images)

Apr 28, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; A detail view of a necklace and pins worn by Cincinnati cornerback Ahmad ÔSauceÕ Gardner on the red carpet at the Fountains of Bellagio before the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
(Kirby Lee, Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)

Sep 21, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) catches pass defended boy New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) in the third quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)

Cincinnati Bearcats cornerback Coby Bryant (7) and Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner (1) were key players on UC's College Football Playoff team in 2021. Coby Bryant went on to win the Jim Thorpe Award and both players were NFL draft picks.
(Enquirer File Photo)

Football - NFL - New York Jets v Denver Broncos - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - October 12, 2025 Denver Broncos' Bo Nix embraces New York Jets' Sauce Gardner after the game Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
(Paul Childs, Action Images via Reuters)

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 05: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys talks with Sauce Gardner #1 of the New York Jets after the game at MetLife Stadium on October 05, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
(Sarah Stier, Getty Images)

New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) is shown after a 34-32 loss against quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8, background) and the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, September 7, 2025, in East Rutherford.
(Kevin R. Wexler-NorthJersey.com, Kevin R. Wexler-NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 07: Sauce Gardner #1 of the New York Jets gets into a altercation with DK Metcalf #4 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the game at MetLife Stadium on September 07, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
(Mitchell Leff, Getty Images)

Nov 6, 2022; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) celebrates his interception with defensive end Micheal Clemons (72) during the second half against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
(Titans Wire)

Feb 1, 2024; Orlando, FL, USA; New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) participates in the NFL Pro Bowl Skills Competition at the UCF NIcholson Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
(Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports)

Sauce Gardner attends the 2022 NFL draft on April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Mindy Small, Getty Images)

New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) catches the ball during warmups before a game against the New England Patriots.
(Danielle Parhizkaran / USA TODAY NETWORK)

Apr 28, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Cincinnati cornerback Ahmad 'Sauce' Gardner after being selected as the fourth overall pick to the New York Jets during the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft at the NFL Draft Theater. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
(Ducks Wire)

Dec 22, 2022; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) reads a play during the first half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
(Dolphins Wire)

Oct 16, 2022; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) celebrates following a play during the second quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
(Lions Wire)

Oct 14, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) reacts to a call during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Boland-Imagn Images
(Lucas Boland, Lucas Boland-Imagn Images)

Dec 10, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) breaks up a pass intended for Houston Texans wide receiver Robert Woods (2) during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
(Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports)

Apr 28, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Cincinnati cornerback Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner with his mother Alisa Gardner and brother Allante Gardner on the red carpet at the Fountains of Bellagio before the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
(Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)

East Rutherford, NJ -- October 14, 2024 -- Sauce Gardner of the Jets during pre game warm ups. The Buffalo Bills came to MetLife Stadium to play the NY Jets. The Jets played their first game under new interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich.
(Chris Pedota, NorthJersey.com-USA Today Network)

May 16, 2025; New York, New York, USA; American rapper Ice Spice (left) sits courtside with New York Jets player Sauce Gardner during the fourth quarter of game six in the second round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs between the New York Knicks and the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden.
(Brad Penner-Imagn Images)

That doesn't mean Gardner wasn't hit hard Tuesday by the news.

"Those are two guys who embodied everything we stand for as an organization, so it's just one of those things where it hurt, for sure," Gardner said. "That's two captains, two great players and great people. It's definitely a little crazy for sure."

Ballard traded the Colts ' next two first-round picks (2026 and 2027) plus young receiver Adonai Mitchell for the player who was named the 2022 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year and a who was an AP first-team All-Pro his first two seasons in the league. He led the NFL in passes defended as a rookie (20), and with his unique reach at 6-foot-3, instantly became one of the most talented, feared defensive backs in the league.

In the summer of 2025, the Jets, who drafted Gardner fourth overall in 2022, signed the cornerback to the richest contract at his position in NFL history – only to decide just more than three months later to include him as part of a massive organizational sell-off to stockpile picks and pursue New York's latest rebuild attempt.

Days after he landed in Indianapolis, Gardner was celebrating the Colts' eighth win of the season in Berlin with his new teammates, who had moved to 8-2 and rode the private plane back across the Atlantic into a celebratory bye week atop the AFC. In the 14 games since, Gardner has appeared in nine of them and finished just six.

In the 15 games since he's been on the roster, the Colts have won three times.

Brought to Indianapolis at a time of so much hope and promise, not only has Gardner failed to live up to the expectations set by the price the Colts paid to acquire him – he's broken up seven passes in Indianapolis with no interceptions – but he's watched as the franchise's potential as an AFC dark horse has disappeared completely.

On Wednesday, Colts head coach Shane Steichen was unwilling to confirm whether Nelson or Buckner asked for trades ahead of being dealt , and ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported Wednesday that fourth-year receiver Josh Downs had requested to be traded . Gardner, though, who's under contract longer than any other Colt on the roster (through 2030), seems ready to embrace whatever the football gods have in store for Indianapolis – for better or worse.

"It's definitely tough. Like you said, it's different than when I first got here, but you know, we're all battle-tested, and I'm a man of faith," he said. "It's one of those things where everything happens for a reason, and God's going to put me in certain positions for a reason. We're going to overcome this thing."

Joel A. Erickson and Nathan Brown cover the Colts all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter .

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Colts' Sauce Gardner is not requesting a trade: 'I feel like I'm fit for a rebuild'

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