Fresh off claiming first place in the AFC West, the Denver Broncos are mounting an aggressive push to acquire All-Pro running back Jonathan Taylor from the Indianapolis Colts, according to multiple reports late Sunday.
DNVR insider Zac Stevens reported that the Broncos are working urgently to finalize a deal following Denver’s 28-24 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. Stevens indicated that team leadership wants to land the star ballcarrier immediately to bolster their postseason run.
"I believe the Broncos are going to do everything in their power to trade for Jonathan Taylor. This could happen at any moment," Stevens said. "You might not want to go to sleep Broncos Country. The Broncos are going to try to pull this trade off, from my understanding. They want Jonathan Taylor now."
National interest and trade price
Stevens is not alone in linking Denver to the former rushing champion. ESPN’s Adam Schefter and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport previously reported that the Broncos were among several franchises to inquire about Taylor’s availability. Other teams reported to have expressed varying interest include the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks and New York Giants.
According to Schefter and Rapoport, the Colts have sought a return package comparable to what the San Francisco 49ers sent the Carolina Panthers for Christian McCaffrey in 2022. That swap yielded second-, third-, fourth- and fifth-round selections. The Colts have received at least one proposal containing a second-round pick plus additional compensation, according to reporting cited by The Big Lead.
Speculation around Denver surged earlier Sunday when former quarterback Russell Wilson predicted on CBS’s "The NFL Today" pregame show that Taylor could become a Bronco by the end of the evening. Network commentators Jim Nantz and JJ Watt also highlighted Denver’s interest during the television broadcast.
Denver backfield injuries open the door
Denver improved to 6-2 on Sunday to secure the No. 2 seed in the AFC, but injuries and inconsistency have challenged the running backs room. Rookie Jonah Coleman enjoyed a breakout performance against Kansas City, compiling more than 100 yards from scrimmage, including a 50-plus-yard reception and the decisive go-ahead touchdown. However, depth remains thin.
The Broncos placed second-year back RJ Harvey on short-term injured reserve this past week alongside Tyler Badie, while veteran J.K. Dobbins has continued to struggle on the ground. Adding an elite runner would immediately lighten the workload on rookie quarterback Bo Nix.
Taylor has stood among the NFL’s top rushers since Indianapolis drafted him in the second round out of Wisconsin in 2020. After leading the league with 1,851 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns in 2021, he rebounded from injuries to rush for 1,431 yards in 2024 and 1,585 yards with 18 scores in 2025.
What comes next
The NFL trade deadline is Nov. 10, but any potential deal could materialize quickly. If an acquiring team hopes to integrate Taylor in time for Wednesday practices ahead of Week 9, negotiations will need to conclude early in the week. Whether Indianapolis accepts Denver’s trade package or opts for another suitor remains unresolved.
