Shane Steichen Drops Cryptic Clue About Sauce Gardner’s Surprising Role

So here we are, with the Indianapolis Colts pulling off what might just be the boldest—and frankly most unexpected—gotta-watch move of this NFL trade deadline: trading not one, but two first-round picks for none other than the All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner. Now, you’ve got to wonder… can a single player really be the missing puzzle piece that takes a squad from playoff hopeful to legitimate Super Bowl contender? Shane Steichen seems to think so, dropping the tantalizing hint that if Gardner clears concussion protocol, he’ll suit up for Week 10 in Germany against the Falcons. It’s an audacious gamble, no doubt—a fresh chapter for Gardner and a fresh dose of intrigue for Colts fans everywhere. And let’s be honest, watching this talented secondary coalesce might be as thrilling as the game itself.

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 05: Sauce Gardner #1 of the New York Jets warms up prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium on October 05, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. — (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

The Indianapolis Colts made perhaps the biggest and most surprising splash of the NFL trade deadline when they sent two first-round picks to the New York Jets for All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner.

Hopefully, it will give them one of the final pieces they need to be a true Super Bowl contender.

It wasn’t a move many saw coming, but his fit within the Indianapolis defense is intriguing, and head coach Shane Steichen hinted at the potential plans for Gardner.

He said if Gardner clears concussion protocol, he will play in Week 10 against the Atlanta Falcons in Germany.

“That’s the plan,” Steichen said.

Colts Shane Steichen's presser:

Sauce Gardner will practice today. If he clear concussion protocol, he will play in Berlin.

"That's the plan," Steichen said.

— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) November 5, 2025

Gardner didn’t play for the Jets in Week 8 due to his injury, but he appears to be headed in the right direction coming off their bye to make his Colts debut right away.

He’ll have a tough matchup awaiting him in Falcons wide receiver Drake London, who caught three touchdown passes from Michael Penix Jr. in a Week 9 loss to the New England Patriots.

Gardner signed a four-year, $120.4 million contract extension this offseason, so the Colts made a long-term investment with this trade and have plenty of time to figure out how to get him comfortable.

He should fit right in alongside Kenny Moore II, Johnathan Edwards and Mekhi Blackmon to form one of the league’s most talented secondaries, and it will be fun to see what this group can do.

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