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n unexpected blockbuster trade has moved 25‑year‑old cornerback Sauce Gardner from the New York Jets to the Indianapolis Colts. In a deal that shocked the league, the Colts sent two first‑round selections and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell to New York in exchange for Gardner. The 2024 offseason saw the rookie‑turned‑All‑Pro sign a four‑year, $120.4 million extension.
Gardner’s real‑estate portfolio is modest. His only recent property was a 4,000‑sq‑ft home in Towaco, New Jersey, which he bought in 2022 for $1.46 million and sold in March 2025 for $1.655 million. The house, set on an acre, featured five bedrooms, 4.5 baths, a home theater, an in‑ground heated pool and a hot tub. He still owns a 2,000‑sq‑ft residence in Macomb, Michigan, purchased the same year for $474,000.
Born in Detroit on August 31, 2000, Gardner’s given name is Ahmad. A youth coach nicknamed him “A1” after the steak sauce, a moniker that stuck. He played college ball at the University of Cincinnati, where he was drafted fourth overall by the Jets in 2022. In 2023 he returned to campus for commencement, having completed a degree in interdisciplinary studies while playing professionally. He credits teammates like Chiefs star Travis Kelce for encouraging him to finish his education.
The trade sends Gardner from a franchise that has struggled this season to a Colts side that sits near the top of the standings. Indianapolis, home to roughly 900,000 residents, offers a median home price of about $320,000—well below the $762,450 median in the New York‑New Jersey market. Gardner can choose to rent close to Lucas Oil Stadium or purchase a new home in the metro area, with options ranging from the downtown core to suburbs such as Carmel, known as the “Roundabout Capital of the U.S.”
The Colts are slated to face the Atlanta Falcons in Berlin on Sunday, though it is unclear whether Gardner will join the team for the trip.
Gardner’s move marks a significant shift in his career, both on the field and off. The new environment promises lower housing costs and a fresh start in a city that embraces football culture.
