Colts star running back Jonathan Taylor draws trade talk after 2-4 start
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The gist
The 2-4 Colts are reportedly seeking a 2nd-round pick plus a late-rounder for running back Jonathan Taylor.
Taylor's August extension pays $44 million, so a deal would reshape both backfields.
Background
Jonathan Taylor is the Indianapolis Colts' star running back, with 8,090 rushing yards and 76 rushing touchdowns in 90 games since entering the league in 2020. On Aug. 6 he signed a two-year, $44 million extension ($39 million guaranteed) and said he wanted to be a Colt for life. Trade talk surfaced after the Colts fell to 2-4 and fired general manager Chris Ballard on Monday, with the Nov. 10 NFL trade deadline approaching.
How it unfolded
- Aug 6, 2026Taylor signed a two-year extension with the Colts and talked about being a Colt for life.
- Oct 19, 2026The Colts fired GM Chris Ballard as they dropped to 2-4 after a loss to the previously winless Titans.
- Oct 20, 2026Reports said the Colts are demanding a 2nd-round draft pick plus a 6th or 7th-rounder to consider trading Taylor; CBS Sports' Carter Bahns mocked him to the 5-0 Vikings.
- Oct 21, 2026ESPN insider Dan Graziano reported a Taylor trade is contractually and financially possible for the Giants.
- Oct 22, 2026Taylor was asked during his media availability about the prospect of being traded.
- Nov 10, 2026The NFL trade deadline, per CBS Sports.
Who’s saying what
- Analysts
- ESPN's Dan Graziano said the recency of Taylor's extension doesn't make a trade impossible for the Colts, and that the Giants would love to alter things at running back.
- Analysts
- CBS Sports' Carter Bahns sent Taylor to the 5-0 Minnesota Vikings in a mock deadline move.
- Caution
- Reports say the Colts want a 2nd-round pick plus a 6th or 7th-rounder, and whether the Giants' front office would pay that price remains an open question.
Still unverified
Rumors linking the Giants to Taylor have gained traction, but no trade has been reported as agreed; whether the Giants would give up a 2nd-round pick is an open question.