The Colts just went all in. Chris Ballard pulled the trigger on the biggest trade of deadline day, landing Sauce Gardner. Two Pro Bowls, two All-Pros, and a Rookie of the Year tag later, Gardner is now in Indianapolis. But what’s the price they had to pay?

Two first-picks for 2026 & 2027 and Adonai Mitchel. Some might call this a good move, but most people might call it MADNESS. Because are the first round picks worth it? It might be, let’s find out.

What is Sauce Gardner’s net worth in 2025?

Ahmad ‘Sauce’ Gardner’s sits near $20 million in 2025. When Gardner was drafted fourth overall in the 2022 NFL Draft by the New York Jets, he immediately started racking up accolades. All that translated into hefty paydays and endorsement dollars. With the Colts trade now in the picture, his net worth is only expected to skyrocket in Colts blue.

Sauce Gardner’s contract

Gardner’s contract saga is the kind to make NFL agents smile. After entering the league on a fully guaranteed four-year rookie deal worth about $33.4 million, the Jets decided to lock him down long-term in July 2025. That’s when the cornerback inked a four-year, $120.4 million extension, sporting $85.65 million guaranteed. This extension officially would have kicked off in the 2027 season.

The deal made him the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history, surpassing peers like Derek Stingley Jr. and Jaire Alexander. Despite this trade to the Colts, the full contract terms carry over; the Colts will pick up where the Jets left off, paying salary and bonuses per the contract. This secures Gardner through 2030, and it’s a deal combining massive numbers with smart team financial flexibility.​

What is Sauce Gardner’s salary?

Here’s the quick breakdown of Sauce Gardner’s salary by year, including bonuses, through the contract years with the Colts taking over in 2025:

Sauce Gardner’s career earnings

Since entering the NFL in 2022, Gardner has steadily cashed in. Combining his rookie contract, fifth-year option, and recent extension, his total career earnings to date stand around $40 million and counting, with guaranteed money near $118 million.

Here’s how he earned it:

• Rookie contract (2022-2025): Approx. $28.184 million
• Fifth-year option (2025): Around $5.266 million
• New extension (2026-2030): $120.4 million in new money, $85.65 million guaranteed

Sauce Gardner’s brand endorsements

Sauce Gardner isn’t just a force inside the white lines; he’s also expanding his brand presence off them. He has endorsement deals with notable companies spread across industries:

Buffalo Wild Wings: Partnered for a signature “Sauce Sauce” barbecue line that kicked off in 2024. Bose: In the speaker and headphone category. EA SPORTS Madden NFL: Playing into the gaming scene. 

His endorsements work in synergy with his personality and rising star power, making him attractive to brands targeting NFL fans and lifestyle markets. Other renowned athletes like Julio Jones and Klay Thompson share such brand ties, underscoring Sauce’s place in the marketing league.​

A look at Sauce Gardner’s college and professional career

Ahmad Gardner’s football story began at the University of Cincinnati, where he was a towering presence at cornerback. Standing 6’3”, Gardner wasn’t just big; he was deadly accurate in coverage. He racked up awards: consensus All-American, First-Team All-American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year, and numerous team single-season records.

Drafted fourth overall in 2022 by the New York Jets, Sauce wasted no time making his impact felt. From grabbing the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year to back-to-back First-Team All-Pro honors and Pro Bowl nods, he set the bar high. 

His rookie year featured 75 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 20 passes defended, the most in the NFL. He even notched his first sack in 2024 and game-winning interceptions. Injuries briefly slowed him, but his elite coverage skills never dipped. In this season, Gardner has 6 passes defended and 20 tackles in 7 games.

Now donning the Colts’ uniform, this young star is set to double down on his potential. With all those accolades behind him, the future still looks bright and very lucrative for Sauce Gardner.