When the New York Jets traded All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts on Nov. 4, they knew it would take time to determine the end result. At least that’s what they initially thought.

Not even a month since the move, and one thing has become clear: The Jets got the better end of the deal.

While it may seem ludicrous to think a trade could be won or lost so early when the team still has to hit on the two first-round picks acquired, it’s what has happened to the Colts that makes it so.

At the time of the deal, Indianapolis was top dog in the AFC. At 8-2, the Colts looked like a Super Bowl contender with the acquisition of Gardner and the play of quarterback Daniel Jones.

Since the trade, though, the Colts have been in a free-fall. Last week, the team lost Jones for the season due to a torn Achilles.

Now, they are signing a 2000s legend as a last-ditch effort to save the season.

Rivers comes out of retirement

Philip Rivers … yes, the same Philip Rivers who led the San Diego Chargers of yesteryear and ended his career with the Colts in 2020, is back in the National Football League.

The now-45-year-old signal-caller signed to the Indianapolis practice squad on Tuesday afternoon, just a day after working out for the team for the first time in four years.

Indy’s expectation is such that Rivers will be able to get on the field relatively soon and help them in their quest to get back into the playoffs. Since the squad’s 7-1 start, the Colts have lost four of their last five games.

The Colts are now on the outside looking in for the AFC playoffs.

It’s hard to see what an aged Rivers can do for the roster, though. In 17 seasons, the former fourth overall pick out of NC State has thrown for over 63,000 yards, 421 touchdowns, and reached the Pro Bowl eight times.

He has not played in an NFL game in five years, though. It is far more likely that he will struggle in the final four games for the Colts. Indianapolis, therefore, is in danger of missing the postseason altogether with or without the help of a borderline Hall-of-Fame player.

Meanwhile, the Jets are enjoying every second of it.

Jets can make out like bandits

There’s a very good chance that the Colts miss the playoffs entirely. They have showdowns against the Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Houston Texans—all teams in current playoff spots.

Should Indianapolis miss the playoffs, the Jets’ second first-round pick would be placed inside the top 18.

Just how important is that? For a New York team currently slated to have the seventh overall pick, having two selections in the top 18 is extra ammo to move up to select the quarterback of their choosing, potentially.

It would also mean the Jets own the Colts’ future first-round pick beyond this upcoming year.

Chances are, Rivers won’t be able to save Indianapolis down the stretch. With each future loss, the Jets’ draft stock will only grow, and the Sauce trade will look more like a resounding win.

The Daniel Jones-to-Philip Rivers swap is just the latest Indianapolis Colts’ misfortune that’s smoldering the New York Jets’ future. Soon enough—particularly based on recent history, since the trade deadline—it may turn into a ferocious spark that ignites the fire.