Colts Willing To Trade RB Jonathan Taylor

Speculation regarding Jonathan Taylor naturally followed, but initial reports out of Indianapolis indicated that the team – particularly owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon – preferred to keep their star running back. But in the days since, the Colts’ stance has changed. They are “now open” to moving Taylor, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter; trade talks are “active and ongoing.”

The Giants and the Vikings are considered the favorites to land Taylor, according to Jonathan Jones of The Athletic. However, Indianapolis is not thought to be “shopping” the seventh-year running back so much as they are taking calls, per ESPN’s Stephen Holder.

The Exhibit’s Josina Anderson adds that the Colts’ willingness to deal Taylor is not necessarily new, noting that “a desire for a 1st-rounder and a defensive tackle was discussed as of earlier this week.” The team also turned down an offer including a second-rounder plus another pick, according to The Ringer’s Tom Pelissero, though that is Taylor’s perceived value around the league (via ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler).

An acquiring team would owe Taylor roughly $4.4MM for the remainder in this season, plus up to $1MM in incentive, according to Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap. A full guarantee of his $16.2MM 2027 compensation vests in February, which would give a new club an out if a trade does not work out.

As of Saturday morning, no deal is imminent and Taylor is still expected to play on Sunday against the Jaguars, according to Stephen Holder, possibly to send the message that the Colts are happy to retain the three-time Pro Bowler. Taylor has not requested a trade, and Irsay-Gordon would prefer that he remains part of the team’s impending rebuild, FOX59’s Mike Chappell adds.