Latest On Jonathan Taylor & Josh Downs

Appearing on The Pivot podcast, Jordan Schultz went into where the Colts stand on Taylor and Downs.

Starting with Taylor, Schultz reports five to six teams have been “aggressively pursuing” him, including the Giants, Packers, Broncos, Seahawks, Bengals and Vikings. Schultz thinks Taylor is open to a fresh start, and expects the Colts’ price tag of a second-round pick plus to be met. 

When it comes to Downs, Schultz says Indianapolis wants a third-round pick for him, but ultimately believes he will go for a fourth-round pick. Schultz named the Steelers, Colts and Commanders as potential suitors for Downs, but thinks other teams could come into the picture because of his skill set and expiring contract.

Schultz makes it clear the Colts “have officially entered a full-on rebuild,” which was only accelerated by a 42-7 loss in Week 8. 

Taylor, 27, is a former second-round pick of the Colts back in 2020 out of Wisconsin. He was entering the final year of his four-year, $7,829,150 rookie contract with the Colts that included a $3,253,928 signing bonus when Indianapolis signed Taylor to a three-year, $42 million contract extension that included $26.5 million guaranteed.

He was set to make a base salary of $11.98 million in 2026, the final year of that deal, when he signed a two-year, $44 million extension in camp this year.

In 2026, Taylor has appeared in eight games for the Colts and rushed 148 times for 610 yards (4.1 YPC) and eight touchdowns. He’s also caught 21 passes for 202 yards.

Downs, 25, was a two-year starter at North Carolina and earned first-team All-ACC honors in 2021 and 2022. He declared for the 2023 NFL Draft after his junior season. 

The Colts drafted Downs in the third round with the No. 79 overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft. He’s in the final year of a four-year, $5,520,458 rookie contract that included a $1,014,879 signing bonus.

In 2026, Downs has appeared in eight games for the Colts and recorded 30 receptions on 51 targets for 330 yards (11.0 YPC) and a touchdown.

We’ll have more on the Colts ahead of the trade deadline as the news is available.