Sauce Gardner Reveals Colts HC Called Him Out for Being 2 Minutes Late in 1st Day After Trade

Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen didn't waste much time setting the tone with Sauce Gardner after the AFC South team acquired the star cornerback from the New York Jets via trade this season.

During a discussion with PFT Live on Thursday, Gardner revealed he was two minutes late to a 7 a.m. training room session on his first day with the Colts. Steichen greeted him but then later that day asked him to explain in front of the entire team why he was two minutes late.

"That was his way of showing me how things are there, and I had to get with the program," Gardner said.

While it sent quite a message, the rest of the season didn't go according to plan for Gardner.

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He was limited to just four of the final eight games with the Colts because of injuries. What's more, Indianapolis dealt with quarterback injuries and lost its final seven contests after starting the campaign 8-2.

What seemed like a major move to get one of the league's best cornerbacks amid an 8-2 start ended up somewhat backfiring for the Colts thanks to the late losing streak.

Fortunately for the team, Gardner is under contract through the 2030 campaign. He is also just 25 years old with plenty of time to return to the form he showed in his first two seasons in the league when he was the Defensive Rookie of the Year, a two-time Pro Bowler and a two-time First-Team All-Pro selection.

And there is no uncertainty about what will be expected from him either, especially after Steichen sent a message on his first day.