Trade News: Gardner Moves to Colts
Source Gardner shared he was “just spinning around the house” when he learned about his trade from the Jets to the Colts ahead of Tuesday’s 4 p.m. deadline.
During his first press conference in Indianapolis on Thursday, Gardner, a two-time All-Pro cornerback, discussed why he believes this trade “makes sense” and why the Colts are an appealing fit for him.
“I didn’t even have time to think it through,” Gardner, 25, remarked. “I was just running around my house, kind of in a panic, thinking about how I needed to focus on being with my son.” He also mentioned his connection with wide receiver Alec Pierce, a teammate from their days at the University of Cincinnati.
“Now that we’re in a winning phase, I really see how I can contribute,” Gardner expressed. While he felt excitement, he also noted the whirlwind nature of the trade. “It was a good atmosphere. Who dwells on it? It’s just business,” he added.
Gardner explained that adapting to the playbook has been a quick turnaround. “In the past few days, I’ve learned at a pace I didn’t know I could manage… It wasn’t exactly shock, per se, but I understand the value that the Colts are offering,” he said.
The Colts have sent two first-round picks and wide receiver AD Mitchell to the Jets for Gardner, who was the fourth overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft by New York.
“It was a great situation for me,” Gardner recalled, noting he was relaxing at home when he got the call. “With the trade deadline looming, I had hoped to find myself in a good situation.” He candidly mentioned not wanting to end up on a losing team or be too far from home.
Gardner also touched upon his recent rumored relationships with rapper Ice Spice and model Brooklyn Nicole. Additionally, the Jets made another significant move by trading three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Quinnen Williams to the Cowboys right before the deadline.
This transaction marks a new era for the Jets, who now face a challenging 1-7 record under new coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mousey.
Meanwhile, Gardner finds himself closer to his home state of Michigan and is looking forward to this fresh start with the Colts, who are currently 7-2 and tied for first place in the AFC.
After clearing the NFL’s concussion protocol, Gardner fully participated in Thursday’s practice and is expected to be ready for the game against the Falcons (3-5) this Sunday in Berlin.
