Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor is drawing active trade interest from several NFL contenders ahead of the November 10 deadline, with teams exploring packages for him while he remains under contract through 2028.
The Indianapolis Colts are deep into a roster fire sale following the firing of general manager Chris Ballard. Having already shipped guard Quenton Nelson to the Seahawks and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the 49ers, the organization has opened the door to offers for running back Jonathan Taylor.
Taylor acknowledged the shifting landscape ahead of the league’s November 10 trade deadline. Despite trade talks heating up, Taylor took the field in Jacksonville for a divisional matchup. Any potential blockbuster will require him to navigate Sunday’s game without injury.
Taylor recently acknowledged that a trade might occur.
Contract Terms and Trade Value Comparisons
Acquiring Taylor is no simple rental. The 27-year-old running back signed a two-year, $44 million extension in August, keeping him under contract through 2028. The Colts already paid his $15 million signing bonus before the season. He ranks third among running backs at $22 million per year, and any acquiring team would inherit the remaining length of the contract while the $15 million signing bonus stays on the ledger in Indianapolis.
Reports indicate Indianapolis initially sought a first-round draft pick before modeling their asking price after the San Francisco 49ers’ blockbuster deal for Christian McCaffrey in 2022. In that trade, the Panthers received second-, third-, and fourth-round picks in 2023 along with a fifth-rounder in 2024. While Tom Pelissero reported that the Colts turned down an initial offer featuring a second-round pick and a later selection, active talks continue across the league.
Interested Suitors and Roster Dynamics Across the League
Several franchises find themselves connected to Taylor as contenders weigh their playoff positioning. The Denver Broncos are reportedly doing everything in their power to land the running back as they sit at 6-2. Dobbins battles ongoing struggles. Rookie Jonah Coleman offers promise, but the front office is eyeing an offensive boost.
The Green Bay Packers have also emerged with real interest in Taylor. That interest runs parallel to mounting complications around current starting running back Josh Jacobs. Jacobs spent time on the commissioner’s exempt list following a September no-contest plea to battery and criminal-damage-to-property charges. Police records released revealed additional allegations from three other women regarding past incidents.
Releasing Jacobs could trigger termination pay obligations for Green Bay, though analysts note the team would still face his contract terms if he is cut and goes unsigned. Alongside Green Bay and Denver, the Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants, and Seattle Seahawks have also been mentioned in connection to the running back market. In Seattle, the team chose to let Kenneth Walker III go in free agency.