The market has spoken: Colts' Jonathan Taylor reportedly more likely to stay than go

With Tuesday's NFL trade deadline approaching, the growing expectation around the league is that three-time Pro Bowl running back Jonathan Taylor will remain with the Indianapolis Colts. Despite receiving trade inquiries and at least one rejected offer, Indianapolis has shown little interest in moving one of its franchise's cornerstone players. 

NFL insider Tom Pelissero reports the Colts have rejected trade inquiries, signaling Jonathan Taylor is likely staying put

According to NFL insider and Netflix sideline reporter Tom Pelissero in his "The Sweep Insider Notebook," the Colts are increasingly likely to hold onto Taylor beyond Tuesday's 4 p.m. ET trade deadline. Pelissero reported that Indianapolis recently rejected an offer centered around a 2027 second-round pick and an additional selection, while other interested teams have yet to present the type of package necessary to oblige the Indianapolis Colts' organization to part with its star running back.

"No team has come close to offering the type of premium capital that would persuade Indianapolis to deal him," Pelissero wrote. 

Taylor, 27, signed a two-year, $44 million extension in August and remains one of the franchise's most valuable assets. Pelissero noted that owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon is continuing to evaluate the organization from top to bottom, making it unlikely the Colts would weaken their roster during that process. 

Unless a significant, franchise-altering offer emerges before the deadline, all signs point to Taylor remaining in Indianapolis for the foreseeable future. 

Taylor represents far more than a short-term trade chip. With owner Irsay-Gordon evaluating every aspect of the franchise and a new general manager arriving in the offseason, keeping one of the roster's premier talents may be more beneficial than cashing in for future draft capital right now. 

As trade rumors persist, Jonathan Taylor insists his attention remains on the Cowboys and turning around the Colts' season

Taylor pushed back on trade rumors in the wake of the Colts' embarrassing Week 8 42-7 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, insisting that he had not requested or asked to be traded. 

While Taylor will suit up Sunday when the 2-6 Colts host the 3-5 Dallas Cowboys, he had a different tune when asked about a possible trade request, and was focused on "putting out a great premium product." 

"At this point, the hay is in the barn now," Taylor said, as shared by James Boyd of The Athletic. "We’re preparing for the Dallas Cowboys. We got a home game. After last week, nothing else matters. We've gotta give these fans a win. We got to put out a great premium product. Can't be what we put out last week."

What does a trade package look like for Jonathan Taylor? 

"My understanding is a first-round pick, or the equivalent in a Christian McCaffrey–level package (the 49ers sent 2023 second-, third-, and fourth-round picks, and a 2024 fifth-rounder to the Panthers for McCaffrey in October 2023) would likely get it done, and the Colts haven’t gotten that price," senior writer for Sports Illustrated Albert Breer added about a potential deal.