Colts record with Sauce Gardner: How Indianapolis has spiraled since blockbuster trade

Last November, the Colts decided to make an all-in move after a surprisingly great start to the 2025 season. With an All-Pro cornerback around, the hope was that Indianapolis would make a push to win the AFC South and establish a core for years to come.

Sauce Gardner's time as a Jet ended ahead of the 2025 NFL trade deadline, and for the most part, he's been as advertised as a Colt. Shane Steichen has had the luxury of a true shutdown corner every week since the Gardner trade — but strangely, the Colts have struggled over that period.

While Daniel Jones' Achilles injury was the main reason for the Colts' derailed season, since acquiring Gardner, Indianapolis has been one of the worst teams in the league, a trend that continued with its tough 33-30 "Sunday Night Football" overtime loss to the Chiefs in Week 2.

Here's a look at the Colts' struggles dating back to November 2025, when they acquired Gardner. 

MORE NFL WEEK 2:

• Why Caleb Williams' hamstring injury may doom Bears season
• Tyler Shough's controversial TD leads Saints to Ravens upset
• How Jets blew double-digit lead to Packers
• Inside Caleb Williams' recovery timeline for hamstring
• Which Week 2 upset loss comes with most cause for concern?

Colts record since Sauce Gardner trade

• 1-9 overall (1-5 in games with Gardner playing)

On Nov. 4, 2025, the Colts were sitting at 7-2, coming off their second loss of the 2025 season to the Steelers. They had a clear path to the playoffs, whether through the AFC South or a wild-card spot, thanks to Daniel Jones' resurgence, a strong run game and a capable defense. Everything finally seemed to be clicking for Shane Steichen's unit.

The Colts liked what they saw enough to package two first-round picks and Adonai Mitchell to acquire Gardner, a young superstar cornerback established as one of the NFL's best. On paper, it made Indianapolis an even more formidable playoff threat — but so far, the hope for the trade hasn't worked out.

Since that day Gardner became a Colt, the team has gone 1-9, including an active nine-game winning streak. A Week 10 win over the Falcons remains the only win for Gardner in a Colts uniform; that game was in Berlin, leading to some viral posts about the cornerback's last U.S. win on Sunday night:

Sauce Gardner hasn't won a game in the United States in 644 days. pic.twitter.com/hzBjW8kQah

— StatMuse (@statmuse) September 21, 2026

Sauce Gardner hasn’t won a game in the USA since the day after Travis Hunter won the Heisman pic.twitter.com/2UNl02ZdnP

— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) September 21, 2026

After Jones' season-ending injury, the Colts collapsed in 2025, missing the playoffs at 8-9 and ending the season on a seven-game losing streak, while Gardner played in four of eight games to finish the season.

Now, to open 2026 — even with Jones back to lead the offense — the Colts still haven't been able to get back on track. Losses to Baltimore and Kansas City have extended the Colts' struggles with Gardner around into a new season. 

Gardner has yet to pick off a pass as a Colt, and he has yet to win a game on U.S. soil as a Colt. While most of the blame doesn't fall on his shoulders, his tenure in Indianapolis hasn't gone nearly as anticipated by the team.

— SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) September 21, 2026

MORE: Full results, highlights from Colts vs. Chiefs