With the NFL trade deadline looming, the family of Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor is experiencing firsthand the anxiety of rampant trade speculation.
Taylor’s wife, Ayanna Chapman, opened up on social media this week about the personal uncertainty surrounding where their family might live as rumors circulate about a possible move before Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline.
‘This waiting game is driving me crazy’
In a video posted to her TikTok account, Chapman voiced the stress of waiting in limbo without knowing what the future holds for the star running back.
“This waiting game is driving me crazy,” Chapman said in the video, according to the IndyStar. “I feel like a prized calf waiting for the slaughter. Is going to happen today? Tomorrow? Is it never gonna happen? And I genuinely cannot decide what’s worse: being blindsided and sent away or being the last one standing, knowing what may be coming for you.”
Chapman noted that the tension has mounted following a 42-7 loss against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 8, the IndyStar reported. “You ever have the feeling that your entire life might change, but you just don’t know when?” she said. “Well, welcome to my week, because that last game versus Jacksonville was rough. I’ve seen a lot of wins, I’ve seen a lot of losses over the years, but nothing quite like that. And now what are we supposed to do? Just wait?”
Colts weighing offers ahead of Sunday
The Colts have been fielding calls on several key contributors, but the franchise does not intend to finalize any moves before Sunday’s matchup with the Dallas Cowboys unless presented with an overwhelming offer, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported.
According to Schultz, league sentiment suggests Indianapolis will wait until after the Week 9 game against Dallas before revisiting trade offers and determining which moves make sense on Monday and Tuesday leading into the Nov. 10 deadline. Waiting carries potential trade value rewards as contending teams grow more urgent, though it also presents the risk that an injury Sunday could derail potential transactions.
The Colts are reportedly seeking at least a second-round draft pick in exchange for Taylor, Bleacher Report noted. Teams that have surfaced as potential landing destinations include the Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos and New York Giants.
A franchise cornerstone
Taylor, a 27-year-old running back in his seventh NFL season, has spent his entire career in Indianapolis after being drafted in the second round in 2020. The three-time Pro Bowler currently holds the Colts franchise record with 77 career rushing touchdowns, Bleacher Report reported.
Unlike teammates on expiring contracts, Taylor still has two years remaining on his contract after the current campaign. Indianapolis has already traded away veterans Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner, sparking broader questions about roster reshaping. Other Colts players drawing interest around the league include wide receiver Josh Downs and defensive tackle Grover Stewart, both in the final years of their contracts, according to reports.
Whether Taylor is moved or remains in Indianapolis will be determined before Tuesday afternoon, though his wife indicated the situation feels far from resolved: “Something tells me we’re not quite done with this chapter yet.”
