A blockbuster arrival in Indianapolis set the tone at the deadline, with the Colts landing Jets star cornerback Sauce Gardner for a package that includes first-rounders in 2026 and 2027 plus receiver AD Mitchell, an all-in swing meant to fortify a contender’s defense without touching the offensive core.

Another layer explains what it means for the quarterback. As Zak Keefer of The Athletic noted, you do not ship out first-round picks in back-to-back years if you expect to be hunting a quarterback, a clear signal that ownership, Chris Ballard, and Shane Steichen are aligned on Daniel Jones as the plan going forward.

Viewed through that lens, the trade is as much about Jones’ future as it is about Gardner’s present. When a front office spends premium capital on an elite corner, it is

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