The Denver Broncos should actively pursue a trade for Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor ahead of the 2026 NFL trade deadline, according to an analysis published Monday by Sayre Bedinger of Predominantly Orange.
Bedinger argued that the Broncos, currently in a Super Bowl window at 4-2, cannot afford to maintain the status quo with an offense that has struggled significantly.
“Once again, this team is in a championship window. There is no justification for sitting on your hands and maintaining the status quo when the status quo has been bad,” Bedinger wrote.
“Especially given what we’ve seen from Kenneth Walker with the Chiefs, the Broncos need to play the role of copycat in this instance and go after the star running back. The world of difference it’s made for the Chiefs’ offense as a whole is staggering.”
Denver ranks 26th in the league in scoring at 19.0 points per game and 26th in rushing at 84.2 yards per game through six contests.
The Colts fell to 2-4 after blowing a late lead at home against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, prompting widespread speculation of a potential fire sale in Indianapolis.
Bedinger wrote that if the Colts begin moving players amid front-office uncertainty, the Broncos should immediately inquire about the 27-year-old Taylor.
Taylor remains one of the NFL’s elite backs after rushing for 1,585 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2025. Through six games this season, he has 492 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 122 carries, plus additional production as a receiver.
Acquiring him would cost significant draft capital, with Bedinger estimating at least a second-round pick given Taylor’s talent and age.
The Colts signed Taylor to a two-year, $44 million extension that includes $39.02 million in guarantees, complicating any deal financially. If traded now, the Broncos would inherit roughly $4.71 million in remaining base salary for the final 12 weeks of the season, a figure that decreases over time.
Denver’s current running back room has underperformed, particularly lead back J.K. Dobbins. Outside of one 16-yard gain against the Seattle Seahawks last Thursday, Dobbins managed just 30 yards on 19 touches in recent action and averages only 3.3 yards per carry on the season (81 attempts, 270 yards, two touchdowns).
Jonah Coleman is expected back for Sunday’s Week 7 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals after flashing in a Week 2 comeback win over the Jacksonville Jaguars despite an ankle injury. RJ Harvey has handled the primary receiving duties out of the backfield, but Bedinger contends the group still requires a clear upgrade.
He compared a potential Taylor acquisition to the Kansas City Chiefs’ addition of Kenneth Walker, which has transformed their offense.
With a projected 10 picks in the 2027 draft, the Broncos possess the flexibility to be aggressive without depleting their long-term assets entirely.
Bedinger concluded that maintaining the status quo offers no path forward when the running game has been a clear liability during a championship window.
