It 'would be a surprise' if Giants trade for Colts' Jonathan Taylor after John Harbaugh comments

While previous rumors had linked the New York Giants with Indianapolis Colts star running back Jonathan Taylor, it was learned on Sunday that the Giants pulled a recent trade offer for Taylor that may or may not have involved Big Blue offering the Colts a second- and a fifth-round draft pick for the 27-year-old.

It sounds like the Giants will not improve their offer for Taylor before the NFL trade deadline arrives at 4:00 p.m. ET this Tuesday. 

This is "the most likely move" the Giants would make before trade deadline

"It would be a surprise at this point if Jonathan Taylor is traded to the Giants," Giants reporter Jordan Raanan of ESPN shared on Monday morning. "The most likely move, according to multiple sources across the league, would be for an interior defensive lineman." 

Defensive tackle Grover Stewart is reportedly among other players the Colts could sell before the trade deadline. It was unclear as of Monday morning whether or not the Giants have interest in acquiring Stewart.

Giants not "one thing away" from making a special run this season?

Following the 19-11 win over the rival Philadelphia Eagles that improved first-place New York to 5-2-1 on Sunday, first-year Giants head coach John Harbaugh said that he didn't "see anything particularly imminent right now" regarding a possible trade. Later, Harbaugh texted with NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated about the club's trade-deadline strategy.

"You’re never ONE thing away," Harbaugh told Breer. "This is not addition and subtraction. The math is running on multiple levels of formulas and algorithms and humanity. You have to assess your options and opportunities. Seek value. What makes your team better shorter- and long-term and avoid what hinders your team, even in possibility."

First-choice Giants running back Cam Skattebo missed the Eagles game due to a hamstring injury, and fellow New York ball-carrier Tyrone Tracy Jr. is on injured reserve with a hamstring issue. A previous story noted that Harbaugh could want to land an upgrade for his team's RB1 job, but it appears that Skattebo will reclaim that gig once he is cleared to play.

"It’s a case-by-case decision regarding options," Harbaugh told Breer. "The work is on finding and creating the options. That’s where the stones have to get turned over. We are building day-by-day for what’s coming tomorrow and in the future BOTH."

As of Monday morning, it was unclear whether Skattebo could be available for the Giants' home game against the 2-5-1 Washington Commanders this coming Thursday night. On Monday, DraftKings Sportsbook had New York as a 1.5-point favorite over Washington.