INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts face a critical decision ahead of Tuesday’s 4 p.m. Eastern trade deadline as league interest swirls around star running back Jonathan Taylor following the team’s 27-23 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.
Reports remain divided on whether Indianapolis will actually move the three-time Pro Bowl selection before the window closes. NBC Sports reported that the prevailing expectation across league circles is that the 2-7 Colts will accept the strongest offer submitted before the deadline arrives. According to that report, the franchise is motivated to accumulate draft capital to assist in rebuilding the roster under their next general manager.
However, Jordan Schultz reported that the Colts could ultimately keep Taylor after declining an offer from the New York Giants, according to FTW Outdoors. The Giants proposed second- and fifth-round draft selections, but New York withdrew the package after Indianapolis hesitated to accept, FTW Outdoors noted. Schultz reported that no other team offered a selection as high as a second-round pick, leaving the Colts without an appealing proposal.
Cap implications and interested suitors
Taylor, who entered the league when Indianapolis selected him in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft, signed a two-year, $44 million contract extension before the season, Yahoo Sports reported. Offloading Taylor would eliminate that $44 million commitment from the team’s salary cap across the next two seasons, alongside the remainder of his current salary.
Several playoff contenders have surfaced in connection with Taylor, including the Giants, Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, and Seattle Seahawks, according to reports from NBC Sports and Yahoo Sports. NBC Sports added that an unexpected suitor, such as the San Francisco 49ers, could also emerge before the deadline.
Taylor addresses uncertain future
Taylor carried the ball 13 times for 46 yards in Sunday’s defeat to Dallas at Lucas Oil Stadium. When reporters asked whether Sunday marked his final game in a Colts uniform, Taylor said, “I’m not sure, I know as much as you,” according to James Boyd of The Athletic.
Taylor also denied asking for a move away from Indianapolis. “No, it doesn’t even matter,” he said during his postgame comments.
The veteran tailback reflected warmly on his seven seasons with the franchise, having accumulated 8,249 rushing yards and four 1,000-yard campaigns since arriving from Wisconsin. “This has been a spot where I grew up,” Taylor told reporters. “You started a family, and you really embraced this city, the people. … This place helped shape me into the man I am today, so I’m very grateful.”
What happens next will be decided by 4 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday, Nov. 10. The Colts must determine whether to lower their asking price to stockpile draft picks immediately or retain Taylor and revisit trade talks during the upcoming offseason.
