The Indianapolis Colts may consider dealing star running back Jonathan Taylor ahead of the upcoming NFL trade deadline, depending on how the team navigates its next slate of games following a rocky start to the season.
With Indianapolis sitting at 2-4 and having dismissed general manager Chris Ballard earlier in the week, the franchise has reached a crossroads. ESPN and NFL Network reported Sunday that the Colts intend to evaluate their performance over matchups against the Minnesota Vikings, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Dallas Cowboys before determining whether to become sellers before the window closes in 16 days.
Contenders monitor Taylor’s availability
Taylor stands out as the organization’s premier trade chip if the interim front office opts to pivot toward rebuilding. According to reporting from Adam Schefter of ESPN and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Green Bay Packers, Seattle Seahawks, Minnesota Vikings, and Denver Broncos are among the clubs that have weighed or are anticipated to examine the prospect of pursuing the three-time Pro Bowl selection. Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports and The Athletic reported Saturday that sources view both the Vikings and New York Giants as plausible suitors.
Despite Indianapolis averaging under 200 passing yards per contest, Taylor has remained productive. Through six games, he has accumulated 492 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on the ground, logging the second-most carries across the league despite averaging a career-low 4.0 yards per attempt. He is coming off a 94-yard, one-touchdown outing during a 26-20 defeat to the Tennessee Titans.
Multiple prospective landing spots present distinct backfield situations. Seattle currently faces an injury absence in its backfield with rookie first-round selection Jadarian Price on injured reserve. Meanwhile, Green Bay recently restored veteran back Josh Jacobs to the active roster from the commissioner’s exempt list. Minnesota, off to an undefeated 5-0 start, could potentially view Taylor as an offensive catalyst capable of bolstering its rushing attack for a deep postseason push.
Contract logistics and additional trade chips
Taylor signed a two-year, $44 million contract extension during the offseason, but that agreement does not preclude a transaction before the deadline. An acquiring franchise would inherit the remaining two years of that contract, which carry base compensation totals of $16.02 million for 2027 and $17.98 million for 2028, alongside $1 million in yearly incentives. Trading him would trigger a $10 million dead-money salary cap charge for Indianapolis in 2027.
Draft considerations will also heavily influence any negotiations. The Colts do not possess a 2027 first-round pick after packaging it in a previous deal for cornerback Sauce Gardner, creating a strong incentive to replenish high-value draft capital if they part with their primary offensive weapon.
Taylor is not the only Indianapolis veteran who could generate interest on the open market. Reports indicate defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, defensive tackle Grover Stewart, and guard Quenton Nelson—who is playing in the final season of his contract—could also be discussed if the organization embraces an outright reset.
For now, team leadership plans to assess the roster’s competitiveness over the coming weeks. If Indianapolis falters against Minnesota and Jacksonville, the front office could begin active discussions to reshape the club’s financial and draft future before the deadline expires.
