The Indianapolis Colts are open to trading running back Jonathan Taylor, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
After a week where the 2-5 Colts started a fire sale by moving guard Quenton Nelson and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, while also announcing that they wanted to trade wide receiver Josh Downs, Taylor could become the biggest deal made by interim general manager Ed Dodds before the November 10 trade deadline.
Advertisement
Taylor said this week that he met with Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon to talk about his team’s future. While the team initially wanted to keep the 27-year-old running back as part of their rebuild, that decision appears to have changed, especially knowing the type of return the three-time Pro Bowler could deliver.
Speaking with reporters on Thursday, Taylor confirmed that he had not requested a trade, but understood that he was not in control of the situation.
“I’m proud to wear it, proud to be here. Like Quenton [Nelson] and [DeForest Buckner]I’m proud to wear it, proud to be here,” Taylor said. But of course the situation is different. I hope that day doesn’t come, but I can’t control it.
Advertisement
There are already several suitors that Taylor is trying to get. According to Schefter and Rapoport, the Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants and Seattle Seahawks are among the teams that have inquired.
The Colts would reportedly have to look for serious future returns in a trade, much like the four picks the Carolina Panthers acquired in 2022 when they traded running back Christian McCaffrey to the San Francisco 49ers.
By trading Nelson and Buckner, the Colts acquired a third- and fourth-round draft pick in 2027 and a fifth-rounder in 2027, but now they don’t own a 2017 first-rounder like those who went to the New York Jets in the Sauce Gardner trade.
Taylor signed a two-year, $44 million deal in August with $39 million in guaranteed money. The extension runs through the 2028 season with his salary cap at $16.2 million this season, $21 million in 2027 and under $23 million in 2028, according to Cap.
Advertisement
There is no word if the Cubs will sit Taylor for the week 8 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars for defensive tackle. Despite the request of his art, Downs will play on Sunday after head coach Shane Steichen told him, “You have to show up and we have to play on Sunday.”
Taylor has rushed for at least 1,100 yards in four of his six NFL seasons and has just under 600 yards through seven games this season.