Colts legend questions Sauce Gardner trade

The Indianapolis Colts' blockbuster trade for Sauce Gardner has drawn a measured question from one of the franchise's greatest pass rushers.

Pro Football Hall of Famer Dwight Freeney said Gardner is an outstanding cornerback, but wondered whether his skill set matches the way Indianapolis plays defense.

"I don't know if he was the right fit for our team," Freeney said during Friday's 'Up & Adams' appearance.

Freeney explained that the Colts use considerable zone coverage under defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, mixing in man-to-man assignments instead of asking their top cornerback to shadow a receiver on every snap.

Considering Indianapolis surrendered two first-round picks to acquire Gardner from the New York Jets in November 2025, Freeney suggested those resources might have been better directed toward an impact pass rusher.

His reasoning was based on quicker pressure forcing quarterbacks to release the ball sooner, making coverage easier for everyone behind the line of scrimmage.

His remarks were a critique of roster construction and schematic fit, without pointing to a decline of Gardner that some believe.

Gardner will miss Sunday's matchup against the undefeated Minnesota Vikings because of a calf injury, leaving the Colts without their top cornerback against Justin Jefferson.