Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor could be on the move before Tuesday's 4 p.m. ET trade deadline, and former teammate Nick Foles believes that, if it happens, the 27-year-old should go to a team with a realistic shot at a championship. Foles made the case as talks around Taylor remained unresolved at the time of reporting.
The Colts are sellers, operating in rebuild mode. The franchise has already moved two of its established players, Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner, and reports indicate that owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon is taking calls on Taylor, quarterback Daniel Jones and wide receiver Josh Downs. Interim general manager Ed Dodds is also involved in the decision-making process, which means the choices on Taylor will be made by a front office that has already signaled it is willing to move veterans for future assets.
Foles, who played with Taylor in Indianapolis, argued that the running back's best path is to a contender rather than a club that is simply stockpiling assets. He pointed to Taylor's age and the wear that comes with the position, noting that running backs tend to decline once they move past their mid-to-late twenties. Taylor is 27. In Foles's view, a team in the thick of the playoff race would give Taylor the best chance to make a lasting impact, and a rebuilding roster offers him little of that.
The price for Taylor is reported to be steep. The Colts are said to be asking for a high draft pick package, a demand that reflects both Taylor's production and the scarcity of elite backs on the market. One benchmark circulating among league observers is the 2022 trade in which the San Francisco 49ers sent a package to the Carolina Panthers for Christian McCaffrey, a deal that set a high bar for what a top running back can command. Taylor is under contract through the 2028 season, a detail that adds to his appeal for prospective buyers willing to meet the asking price and absorb a longer commitment.
The New York Giants, Denver Broncos and Minnesota Vikings have been reported as interested suitors. Each of those franchises would face the same question: whether a running back in his late twenties, on a long-term deal, justifies a significant draft capital investment. However, another report suggests Taylor is more likely to stay in Indianapolis than to be traded, leaving the situation fluid as the deadline approaches. The Colts have not publicly confirmed any deal, and until a trade is finalized or the deadline passes, the franchise's next move remains uncertain.