Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon played critical role in Sauce Gardner blockbuster trade

Carlie Irsay-Gordon is involved.

The Indianapolis Colts' co-owner is known for spending time on the sidelines during games with a headset and a playsheet.

But each and every story told about Irsay-Gordon shares just how generally invested she is in every aspect of having a successful NFL team.

"Somebody asked me, is she micromanaging? I'm like, 'No, man.' She's genuinely just trying to learn and educate herself on the whole complexity of being an NFL owner," linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. told ESPN this week.

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Most owners are involved when there's a big deal going down. They often get to give a stamp of approval.

For Irsay-Gordon, it sounds like the recent blockbuster trade for star cornerback Sauce Gardner from the New York Jets was something she had knowledge of throughout the process.

This is how ESPN's Stephen Holder explained it in his new feature story:

"Irsay-Gordon's immersion in football operations likely gave her the confidence to authorize last week's blockbuster trade with the New York Jets. Indianapolis sent two first-round picks and receiver Adonai Mitchell to New York for two-time All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner, and Irsay-Gordon was keeping tabs on the situation throughout. After weeks of conversations, she and general manager Chris Ballard had their weekly Monday meeting on Nov. 3, the day before the trade. In that meeting, according to a team source, she gave Ballard final approval after the teams had agreed in principle."

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This won't be the last big call for Irsay-Gordon to make.

Next up is likely a big contract for Daniel Jones. The Colts gave Jones a prove-it contract, and he's definitely proved it. So how much do you pay a reclamation project QB who emerged from nowhere for a brilliant season? The going rate is likely nine figures.

Irsay-Gordon, with her commitment to being involved and informed, is as equipped as any owner to decide whether Jones is worth paying.

That makes her different, but it also just might be why it all works.

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