Colts Open Jonathan Taylor to Trade As Rebuild Accelerates
Indianapolis is in active talks with five teams to move its star running back, following recent moves involving Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner.
By Jason Kovalenko ·
The Indianapolis Colts have agreed to accept offers for running back Jonathan Taylor, according to sources familiar with the discussions. Multiple teams have made contact with Indianapolis, and those negotiations are currently active.
Sources indicate the list of interested parties includes the Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants, and Seattle Seahawks. The Colts owner and CEO, Carlie Irsay-Gordon, met with Taylor this week for what sources described as a detailed conversation about their respective futures. While Irsay-Gordon has a personal affinity for the three-time Pro Bowler, the franchise is weighing its desire to keep him against the potential financial return of a trade.
The organization is looking for a compensation package similar to the one the San Francisco 49ers received when they traded for Christian McCaffrey in 2022. That deal included second, third, fourth, and fifth-round draft picks. Taylor is 27 years old and is under contract for 15 million dollars in 2027 and 9.46 million dollars in 2028. Indianapolis already paid him a 15 million dollar signing bonus before the start of this season.
The move fits a pattern established by the Colts recently. Last week, the team traded Pro Bowl guard Quenton Nelson and Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner. In exchange, Indianapolis received a 2027 third-round pick, a 2027 fourth-round pick, and a 2028 fifth-round pick. The team has also entered trade talks for wide receiver Josh Downs, whom the Colts have told other teams is worth third-round pick value. Downs requested a trade earlier this week, though the Colts have stated they prefer to hold onto him.
Both Taylor and Downs are expected to play in Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Coach Shane Steichen addressed the roster changes in a team meeting. He told his players that while they should have appreciation for the departing veterans, it is part of the business of the NFL. He asked the group to remain professional, and sources report that practices have gone well since the announcement.
The organizational shift began after the Colts lost to the Minnesota Vikings last Sunday. Irsay-Gordon led a meeting on Monday that resulted in the trades of Nelson and Buckner on Tuesday. Interim general manager Ed Dodds is working alongside Irsay-Gordon on these decisions. The new leadership appears willing to shed salaries to accumulate draft capital for a long-term rebuild.
Taylor said on Thursday that he has not requested a trade. He stated that he is always proud to wear the team logo. However, he acknowledged that a move is possible in the modern NFL. He said, 'Whether you like it or not, the day may come. You may get to stay somewhere forever, but you understand the business side of it.'
Taylor is the second-leading rusher in franchise history with 8,185 rushing yards, behind only Edgerrin James. He also leads the team with 77 rushing touchdowns. He enters Sunday's contest with 587 rushing yards this season and is tied for the league lead with eight rushing touchdowns.
