Sauce Gardner says he could hardly contain his excitement upon finding out he was being dealt to the Indianapolis Colts.
"I didn't even have time to process it all the way," Gardner said Thursday, according to WISH-TV. "I just knew I was coming into a great situation. I was running in circles in the house."
The Colts sent shock waves through the NFL on Tuesday after dealing two first-round picks and sophomore wide receiver Adonai Mitchell to the New York Jets for the star cornerback.
Gardner said he didn't have time to feel bad about being traded, adding, "That's part of the business." The Jets signed him to a record four-year, $120.4-million contract extension in July.
"It was less about the Jets wanting to trade me and more about the Colts wanting me to be here," Gardner told reporters, including James Boyd of The Athletic.
Asked about the expectations that come with Indianapolis sending a substantial package to New York in exchange for his services, Gardner responded, "There's no pressure. Obviously, they got access to the tape, so they know what I'm capable of doing."
The trade adds a two-time first-team All-Pro cornerback to a Colts squad that's compiled a 7-2 record and ranks first in points scored and seventh in points surrendered.
"Dominant offense, dominant defense," Gardner said. "I'm just grateful to be a part of something special that they're already building."
The 25-year-old cleared the concussion protocol this week and is expected to make his Colts debut Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons.
