When the Indianapolis Colts traded for Sauce Gardner, fans wondered what jersey number he’d wear. Thanks to Josh Downs, Gardner will continue wearing No. 1, a number he’s held since his Cincinnati days. Downs, who previously wore it, switched to No. 2 and has now spoken about the swap.

In a clip shared by Kevin Bowen of 1075 The Fan on X, Downs spoke about the “friendly transaction” between him and the cornerback. 

“New teammate, wanted to make it easy for him, like, we appreciate him being here. So, you know, I know he’s been number one, and I know that number means a lot to him.”

Further, Josh Downs grinned and brushed off the question when asked if the jersey arrangement involved money. Turns out, the duo talked and reached a conclusion like good teammates. When pressed about the potential favors Josh may get, he shared a few ideas.

“I might ask him to clean my locker a couple of times, carry my pads out of the bracket, you know.”

For Gardner, jersey No.1 holds a special place in his heart. He’s been proudly wearing the number since his college days at Cincinnati, but the story goes way back. A youth coach reportedly nicknamed Sauce “A1” when he was just six years old. During his collegiate career, he received first-team All-America and AAC Defensive Player of the Year honors, all while wearing the very number. 

As for Josh Downs, he isn’t very upset about the move and is excited to embrace his new number, No. 2. Why? It’s the same number worn by his younger brother Caleb, who’s an Ohio State standout. “He was excited. We’re wearing the same number now,” the third-round pick revealed.

Meanwhile, the jersey deal isn’t the only thing turning heads; there’s another big comment that just came right from the NFL insider. 

The Jets “had to” trade Josh Downs’ new teammate

Just four months ago, New York signed a big contract extension with Gardner. While the decision to ship him to the Colts caught some off guard, some critics had already seen the move coming. According to ESPN’s Rich Cimini, the cornerback’s trade was a “no-brainer” in the eyes of an opposing NFL coach.

The coach thinks it’s something New York “had to” do, considering the haul they received. Under the trade, Indianapolis sent first-round picks in 2026 and 2027. Plus, they sent away wide receiver Adonai Mitchell in exchange for Gardner. But unfortunately, it was the Jets’ overall struggles that prompted them to trade Sauce.

For New York, Gardner was its potential cornerstone player. The franchise signed a four-year, $120 million deal with Sauce in July, making him the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL. He played up to his elite reputation while at the Jets, but their issues ran far deeper. With a 1–7 record this season, they had to make big changes. 

Currently, New York focuses on a complete rebuild, with eight picks in the first two rounds of the next two drafts. Sitting at No. 3 overall in the projected 2026 draft, the team is in a sound position to draft a franchise quarterback without giving up more assets.