Jets receive major draft boost as Colts collapse is officially complete

The Indianapolis Colts’ season officially came to an end Saturday night when the Houston Texans beat the Los Angeles Chargers, eliminating Indianapolis from playoff contention. And thus, the New York Jets received an important confirmation in their 2026 draft position.

While the Colts still have two games left, Saturday's loss confirmed what had been trending for weeks. The team's total late-season collapse is now officially complete.

The Jets are, of course, owners of the Colts’ 2026 first-round pick because of the Sauce Gardner trade, and with Indianapolis officially out of the playoff picture, the value of that pick just became far clearer.

What once looked like a likely mid-to-late first-round pick when the deal was made is now guaranteed to land inside the top 20 in this year’s draft. In fact, the pick can no longer fall lower than No. 18 overall.

Jets will benefit from the Colts' late-season collapse

After starting the season 8–2 — and even sitting at 7–1 at one point — Indianapolis has lost six of its last seven games, including five straight, to drop to 8–7. Saturday night’s Texans win officially slammed the door on any remaining playoff hope, even with two games still on the schedule.

That elimination locks the Jets’ pick into a favorable range. The selection Indianapolis owes the Jets is now guaranteed to be no later than 18th overall and could climb as high as 14th depending on how the final two weeks play out. The Colts face the Jaguars later today and the Texans in Week 18, and either outcome could further improve the Jets’ position.

Almost everything that could have gone wrong for Indianapolis since the Gardner trade has gone wrong. Quarterback Daniel Jones suffered a broken fibula, attempted to play through it, then tore his Achilles, leaving his future with the team very much in doubt.

Backup Anthony Richardson was also already out due to a freak pre-game injury, prompting the Colts to turn to a 44-year-old Philip Rivers, whose return has been interesting but ultimately ineffective. Rivers had not played in the NFL in a half-decade before he was plucked out of retirement.

Even Gardner himself has only played three games due to a calf injury, while star defensive tackle DeForest Buckner was placed on injured reserve this weekend. With no playoff berth, no quarterback solution, and no first-round picks in either 2026 or 2027, the Colts are staring at a long offseason.

The Jets, meanwhile, are positioned to benefit. They’re now on track to hold two top-20 picks in this year’s draft — possibly two top-15 selections — giving them far more flexibility than anyone expected when the Gardner trade was made.

The Colts’ collapse is complete, and the Jets are the ones standing there ready to take advantage of it.