Colts open to trading Jonathan Taylor: what it means before the NFL deadline
The Colts are willing to trade Jonathan Taylor and are talking to several teams, ESPN reports. His contract, the suitors and the Nov. 10 deadline explained.
The essentials: The Indianapolis Colts are willing to trade star running back Jonathan Taylor and are in active talks with several teams, ESPN reported on October 31, 2026, citing sources. The Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants and Seattle Seahawks are thought to be among them. Any deal has to be done by the NFL trade deadline on Tuesday, November 10, at 4 p.m. ET.
Why would the Colts move one of their best players?
The Colts were 2-5 when NBC Sports and Yahoo Sports published their deadline coverage this week, and the front office has changed. General manager Chris Ballard was fired on October 19, according to NBC Sports, and ESPN names Ed Dodds as interim general manager.
The selling has already started. ESPN reports that Indianapolis has traded Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner, bringing back third- and fourth-round picks in 2027 and a fifth-round pick in 2028. The team is also in talks over receiver Josh Downs.
The picture inside the building is less clear. Yahoo Sports noted on October 29 that owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon reportedly does not want to move Taylor.
What would a new team be taking on?
Taylor signed a two-year, $44 million extension in August, with $39 million guaranteed, that runs through 2028, Yahoo Sports reports. ESPN adds that Indianapolis paid him a $15 million signing bonus before the season.
| Season | Salary due (ESPN) | Salary-cap hit (Over the Cap, via Yahoo Sports) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $15 million signing bonus already paid | $16.2 million |
| 2027 | $15 million | $21 million |
| 2028 | $9.46 million | Just under $23 million |
The two columns measure different things: the first is what Taylor is owed in salary, the second is what his deal counts against the cap. No report so far has said how those figures would be split in a trade.
How has Taylor played this season?
Through seven games, Taylor has 587 rushing yards at 83.9 yards a game and 4.2 yards a carry, according to Yahoo Sports. His eight rushing touchdowns tie him for the league lead, ESPN says. He is also the second-leading rusher in Colts history, with 8,185 yards.
Those numbers explain the interest. CBS Sports had already paired him with Minnesota in a deadline “matchmaker” column on October 26, days before ESPN’s report.
What have Taylor and the Colts said?
Taylor spoke before ESPN’s report, telling FOX59’s Mike Chappell: “I haven’t heard anything.” He added: “Hopefully that day may not come, but I can’t control that.”
ESPN also quotes him accepting the logic of the league: “You may get to stay somewhere forever, but you understand the business side of it.”
Head coach Shane Steichen played down the speculation on Wednesday, October 28. “Those are hypothetical things right now,” he said, according to Yahoo Sports. “JT’s on our football team.”
What happens next?
No deal has been reported. The Colts have until 4 p.m. ET on November 10 to act, and interested teams will have to decide whether a running back under contract through 2028 is worth the draft capital Indianapolis is asking for.
This article was prepared with the help of AI tools from the sources listed above, then reviewed by our editors before publication. Read our editorial policy
