The Indianapolis Colts are open to trading running back Jonathan Taylor and are actively engaging with teams about a deal, according to ESPN and NFL Network. The news comes amid a Colts' fire sale that has seen Indianapolis (2-5) trade two cornerstones this week. The Colts traded Quenton Nelson to Seattle for a 2027 third-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick and traded DeForest Buckner to San Francisco for a 2027 fourth-round pick.
The return stands to be much bigger for Taylor. The Colts have already received at least one offer that includes a second-round pick plus additional compensation, per ESPN. Taylor, who said Thursday he's proud to wear the horseshoe and hasn't requested a trade, remains one of the league's most productive backs.
He has twice led the NFL in rushing touchdowns, including last season, and led the league in rushing yards in 2021 on his way to first-team All-Pro honors. He has eight rushing touchdowns through seven games this year, putting him on pace to threaten his career high of 18. ESPN reports the teams with at least some interest include the Broncos, Packers, Vikings, Giants and Seahawks.
Here's how each could fit: The Packers (5-3) recently got Josh Jacobs back from the commissioner-exempt list, but Green Bay's rushing struggles are reaching historic proportions. Green Bay is last in rushing yards per game (60.6) and yards per rush (2.9). The former is on pace to be the worst since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger, the latter on pace to be the second-worst.
That has put an enormous weight on quarterback Jordan Love: Currently, nearly 82% of Green Bay's yards have come via the pass, on pace for the highest rate since the merger. John Harbaugh has fiddled with New York's running back rotation this season but is on the record that he would "love" a bell cow a la Derrick Henry or Saquon Barkley on his team. The Giants (4-2-1) lead a wide-open NFC East, and Taylor could not only take the load off new starter J.J.
McCarthy but also be a boon; playing next to Jaxson Dart would be an enticing look next year. Cam Skattebo's bounce-back Week 7 performance after getting no touches in Week 6 might have placated previous backfield worries, but clearly New York is willing to poke around for an upgrade. The Broncos (5-2) sent a first-round pick to Miami for Jaylen Waddle this offseason, though it hasn't really worked out yet.
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