Jonathan Taylor thanked Indianapolis on Sunday. Whether that was a goodbye should be settled by Tuesday afternoon.
The Colts lost 27-23 to Dallas for their fifth straight loss, falling to 2-7, and the Jonathan Taylor trade question is now the biggest open storyline before the NFL trade deadline arrives Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET. Several teams have called. One has already made an offer and pulled it back. And the Colts are holding out for a price that, so far, nobody has been willing to pay.
Here’s where things stand, who’s interested and what it would take.
Where the talks stand
ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport reported Saturday that Indianapolis had an offer of a second-round pick “and more” for Taylor. The Colts are seeking compensation along the lines of what San Francisco paid for Christian McCaffrey in 2022, according to that report, and they still view Taylor as a possible piece of their rebuild rather than someone they must move.
That gap has been the story for weeks. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported on Nov. 4 that the Colts wanted a first-round pick, while interested teams believed a second-rounder plus another asset should be enough.
One thing that makes Taylor different from the Colts’ earlier sales: he isn’t a rental. Indianapolis signed him to an extension in August that runs through 2028, so the Colts have no pressure to move him before he hits free agency. Quenton Nelson, who went to Seattle, was on an expiring deal.
Who’s interested
Jordan Schultz reported on Nov. 1 that five teams had reached out to the Colts about Taylor:
| Team | Where they stand | Why it makes sense |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Vikings | 6-1 | Running back Demond Claiborne is out with a knee injury; PFT reported Minnesota as a possible landing spot |
| Green Bay Packers | 6-3 | Coming off a 45-27 rout of New England and in a tight NFC North race |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 6-2 | Four straight wins and an offense built to win now |
| Denver Broncos | On bye in Week 10 | Has been active looking for offensive help, including at tight end |
| New York Giants | NFC East leader | Want a running back or defensive tackle, but pulled their offer |
The Giants are the most interesting case. ESPN reported they want to make a big move at the deadline and are targeting running backs. But on Sunday, Josina Anderson reported New York had cooled on Taylor because of the asking price, and Giants head coach John Harbaugh later confirmed the team pulled a recent offer. Harbaugh left the door cracked, though, saying “things do change.”
Taylor’s season so far
Taylor has been productive on a team that hasn’t been. Through nine games, he has 161 carries for 656 yards and eight rushing touchdowns, plus 26 catches for 220 yards, according to Yahoo Sports.
| Jonathan Taylor, 2026 | Total |
|---|---|
| Carries | 161 |
| Rushing yards | 656 |
| Rushing touchdowns | 8 |
| Catches | 26 |
| Receiving yards | 220 |
That comes after a 2025 season in which he led the NFL with 18 rushing touchdowns and broke Edgerrin James’ franchise record for career rushing touchdowns. Taylor, 27, is a three-time Pro Bowler and has spent his entire career in Indianapolis since the Colts drafted him in the second round in 2020.
A tough final audition
Sunday wasn’t the showcase Taylor might have wanted. He ran 13 times for 46 yards and caught five passes for 18 more. With 9:55 left and the Colts trailing by three, Dallas defensive tackle Quinnen Williams stripped him inside the Cowboys’ 20, a costly turnover in a four-point loss.
There were also signs the Colts are already planning for life without him. Backup Seth McGowan ran six times for 45 yards and scored the first touchdown of his career, and Pro Football Network noted that Taylor’s snap share has dropped from the near-80% it used to be. We listed McGowan as one of our top Week 10 waiver wire pickups for exactly that reason.
After the game, Taylor acknowledged the uncertainty and thanked the city. ESPN’s Stephen Holder captured his feeling in four words: no one wants uncertainty. Taylor has also made clear he never asked to be traded.
What’s left on the Colts’ board
Indianapolis has already been the busiest seller of the season. After firing general manager Chris Ballard, the Colts traded Nelson to Seattle and DeForest Buckner to San Francisco on Oct. 27.
They aren’t done listening. ESPN reported the Colts have told teams they have a fourth-round offer for receiver Josh Downs, who requested a trade, after initially asking for a third. Veteran receiver Keenan Allen has drawn calls, and defensive tackle Grover Stewart has interest too, though the Colts want more than teams have offered.
One name is off the table. Tom Pelissero reported the Colts told quarterback Daniel Jones on Saturday that he won’t be traded. For the full list of deals and rumors, see our NFL trade deadline guide.
Will the Colts actually trade him?
There are good arguments on both sides.
The case for trading Taylor is simple. Running backs lose value quickly, Indianapolis is 2-7 and rebuilding, and a strong draft pick now could help more than a 28-year-old back would in 2027 and 2028.
The case for keeping him is just as clear. His contract is long, he’s still one of the league’s most productive backs, and the Colts don’t have to accept less than they want. If no team meets their price, they can simply hold him and revisit things in the offseason.
The final hours will decide it. Deadline-day deals often come together late, after one contender decides it can’t wait any longer.
What’s next for the Jonathan Taylor trade
The deadline is 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, which is 2:30 a.m. Wednesday in India. If Taylor is moved, his new team will want him ready to play right away in Week 10. If he isn’t, the Colts host Miami on Sunday with Taylor still in the backfield.
FieldPylon will update this story the moment a deal is reported.
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