The Colts might have overpaid in their trade for All Pro CB Sauce Gardner but I don’t think that’s actually a bad thing
The Colts did something many teams wouldn’t have done by trading two firsts for Sauce Gardner, but that doesn’t mean they did the wrong thing.
The Indianapolis Colts did something massively out of their comfort zone at the trade deadline. They made a risky blockbuster move to acquire All-Pro CB Sauce Gardner. That in itself was shocking to see, but when the package they sent to do so was revealed, a new discussion started.
The Colts sent two first-round picks and WR Adonai Mitchell to the New York Jets in the deal. The term “overpay” began to dominate headlines for the move. That term comes with a negative connotation, as everyone wants to be listed as the “winner” minutes after a trade. I think there’s more context that needs to be discussed, though, to show that while two firsts might be an “overpay,” it doesn’t mean the Colts did the wrong thing.
The Colts overpaying for Sauce Gardner shows their williness to go all in on winning now
Let’s get this out of the way now: Two first-rounders for a CB is a lot. Most teams wouldn’t do it because the trade calculators frown on it. But I also think it’s important to note that no one was trading for Gardner from the Jets unless they overpaid with their trade package.
The Colts were big fish hunting ahead of the deadline, calling to express interest in top defensive players. This isn’t a new concept; multiple teams do this and are told, “No, we won’t trade that player.” That wasn’t the response they got from the Jets weeks ago, though. They were essentially told they would need to make an offer the Jets couldn’t refuse.
This told the Colts that if they were willing to do something many shied from, they could land a 25-year-old All-Pro CB who is under contract through 2030. So, on the trade deadline day, they decided to do something their late owner, Jim Irsay, said to a camera years ago, and they went “all chips in.” The team sits in first place in the AFC South and first in the AFC playoff picture, and have decided they are all in on winning now with a roster they believe in.
The Colts didn’t let a calculator or past value of CBs tell them Sauce Gardner’s worth. They circled him as their top trade candidate and felt like he would elevate their defense to a new level. So once they knew it was possible for the Jets to say yes, they kept improving their offer until they got it. Is this a risky move? Certainly, but I think what this trade stands for means much more than seeing people grade the deal poorly for the Colts right now.
The Irsay sisters are willing to say yes to a move this big. The Colts front office sees a window to be a Super Bowl contender this season and in coming years. It also should tell fans that when it comes to paying key players to keep this core together, why wouldn’t they do what is necessary to get it done?
The passive Colts of old seem to be a thing of the past. And that fact alone must feel like a breath of fresh air to fans. My advice to anyone worried about the Colts giving up so much for Gardner would be, let’s not worry about who is listed as the winner of the trade, and focus on the fact that the Colts are a team that was willing to do what it took to get a 25-year-old star.
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