As the Indianapolis Colts navigate the aftermath of dismissing general manager Chris Ballard, the NFL’s trade market has zeroed in on their roster, with star running back Jonathan Taylor drawing the most attention from potential buyers.
League sources indicate that several contenders have begun evaluating whether a deal for the 27-year-old is realistic ahead of the November 10 deadline.
The Colts’ current approach, however, centers on competing in their next three games—at Minnesota, at Jacksonville, and against Dallas—rather than immediately pivoting into a full rebuild.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, teams including the Green Bay Packers, Seattle Seahawks, Minnesota Vikings, and Denver Broncos have either inquired or are expected to explore a trade for Taylor.
The Packers previously pursued him in August 2023, offering wide receiver Christian Watson and additional assets in a package the Colts declined.
With Taylor’s college ties to Wisconsin, those conversations could resurface if Indianapolis signals any willingness to listen.
Despite signing a contract extension just before the season, Taylor remains viewed as a high-value target given his prime years and production.
He is owed the remainder of his roughly $7 million base salary this season, followed by $16 million in 2027 and nearly $18 million in 2028.
Even so, people familiar with the Colts’ thinking emphasize that owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon considers Taylor a foundational piece of the organization and a probable cornerstone of any longer-term rebuild.
While sources acknowledge that a sufficiently high offer—likely involving premium draft capital—could theoretically force a conversation, the prevailing expectation is that Indianapolis is not inclined to move him.
New chief of personnel Ed Dodds and the rest of the front office are prioritizing results over the next few weeks; only a continued slide would apparently shift the calculus toward selling established talent.
Taylor’s recent extension further complicates any potential deal.
The Colts committed to him as a long-term option, and his status as one of the league’s most productive backs in his prime reinforces the internal view that he should remain in Indianapolis unless compensation reaches an exceptional level.
For now, the organization appears content to let the upcoming games determine whether the roster stays intact or undergoes a more significant overhaul after the deadline.
