The pursuit of the perfect player began weeks before the chaos, fueled by an NFL rumor that soon gained traction. Nearly three weeks ahead of the trade deadline, the Indianapolis Colts reached out to the New York Jets to test their resolve on cornerback Sauce Gardner.
Initially, there was little appetite from the Jets to move the 25-year-old two-time All-Pro, especially one locked into a long-term extension. However, once the Colts met the steep “Micah Parsons-style” price—offering two first-round picks and a quality starter—the door finally opened.
Indianapolis explored other cornerback options but circled back to Gardner, ultimately paying a premium to land him. This blockbuster trade sent ripples through the league, reshaping plans for several teams seeking help at both receiver and in the secondary.
According to an NFL report, the ripple effect even impacted Cleveland’s strategies. Former Colts second-round pick Adonai Mitchell garnered real interest around the league, with the Browns reportedly poised to send a late-round pick to Indianapolis to acquire him.
So, were the NFL rumors true? That framework quickly fell apart once Mitchell was packaged to the Jets as part of the Gardner blockbuster. Mitchell’s stint in Indianapolis had cooled off—he totaled just nine catches for 152 yards, and his momentum was hampered by a costly drop near the goal line against the Rams. As a result, he had fallen out of favor.
The terms of the Gardner trade changed the dynamics, and Cleveland’s low-cost swing for Mitchell never left the runway. For the Browns, this represents a meaningful missed opportunity.
Cleveland has been actively hunting reliable perimeter production to stabilize a young quarterback room and diversify its third-down offense. Mitchell’s skill set, despite uneven usage, fits the profile of an affordable bet capable of creating separation and providing red-zone utility.
Instead, the Jets leveraged Mitchell as an immediate on-field asset, while also bolstering their draft capital for 2026 and 2027. Meanwhile, Cleveland returned to the rental market with fewer options and a ticking clock to improve a struggling unit.
Early returns on Mitchell in New York are encouraging. After his first Jets practice, Garrett Wilson praised Mitchell’s ability to play above the rim, break tackles, and move fluidly for his size. Wilson noted that Mitchell handled himself well on day one and suggested the coaching staff would find ways to incorporate him into the offense—a hint that Mitchell could become a valuable complement in a retooled passing game.
For Cleveland, the pressure is on to pivot quickly. The Browns must either scour the waiver wire and street for hidden value or wait until the offseason to revisit receiver upgrades. If Mitchell thrives with the Jets while Cleveland’s offense continues to stall, the play they never made will sting even more.
https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/nfl-rumors-the-browns-trade-that-got-nuked-sauce-gardner-deal
