The undefeated Minnesota Vikings stand among the leading contenders to land Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor before the Nov. 10 NFL trade deadline.
Indianapolis has opened the door on a deal, with talks described as “active and ongoing.”
Teams that have “expressed at least some level of interest” include the Broncos, Packers, Giants, Seahawks and Vikings.
Some reporting has identified the Vikings and Giants as the top candidates should the Colts follow through.
Minnesota enters the week at 6-0 and sits alone atop the NFC North. The defense has allowed only 12.3 points per game, the league’s lowest total, while the offense has scored 20.8 points per game, ranking 24th.
The run game has produced just three rushing touchdowns. Veteran Aaron Jones has managed a knee injury that limited him in practice this week.
Taylor has responded with 140 carries for 587 yards and a league-leading eight touchdowns through seven games, averaging 4.2 yards per attempt. He has also caught 17 passes for 178 yards.
In last Sunday’s 16-10 loss at U.S. Bank Stadium, Taylor rushed 18 times for 95 yards, including a 38-yard touchdown that gave the Colts an early lead.
Cap space presents a hurdle. The Vikings hold roughly $6.3 million available. Taylor’s deal runs through 2028, with $16.02 million in cash due in 2027, and that base salary becomes fully guaranteed in February.
Reports peg the asking price at no less than a second-round pick. The Colts have sought a package similar to the second-, third-, fourth- and fifth-round haul the 49ers sent the Panthers for Christian McCaffrey in 2022.
Indianapolis is 2-5 after firing general manager Chris Ballard. Interim personnel chief Ed Dodds has already moved DeForest Buckner and Quenton Nelson.
Taylor said of the rumors, “I haven’t heard anything, and I can’t control that. Obviously, I’m always proud to wear the horseshoe and proud to be here.”
ESPN’s Adam Schefter has reported the owner’s preference to keep him, stating, “The big name is Jonathan Taylor, and my understanding is that the owner doesn’t want to trade him.” Schefter added that offers will come, yet a shift in the Colts’ stance would be required.
A completed deal could put Taylor on the field as soon as Minnesota’s Monday night home game against Buffalo.
The Vikings next face Detroit, then Buffalo, Green Bay and San Francisco in a stretch that will test their current balance.
Taylor’s track record of explosive runs would immediately address a ground attack that has lacked big plays.
Whether the sides can match on draft compensation and salary-cap math will decide if the interest turns into a trade.
