Jonathan Taylor addresses trade rumors amid Colts’ fire sale: ‘Hopefully that day may not come’
Jonathan Taylor says he has not requested a trade and hopes to remain with the Indianapolis Colts, while acknowledging that any decision is beyond his control. His comments come as the team trades established players and speculation grows over whether it will continue reshaping its roster.
The Colts traded All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson to Seattle for 2027 and 2028 draft picks, then sent three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to San Francisco for a 2027 fourth-round pick. Receiver Josh Downs has reportedly requested a trade, and Taylor is under contract after signing a two-year, $44 million extension in August. The 27-year-old has 587 rushing yards and eight touchdowns in seven games, and the trade deadline is 10 November.
In short
- Taylor says he has not asked the Colts to trade him.
- Indianapolis has traded Nelson and Buckner for draft picks.
- Taylor has 587 rushing yards and eight touchdowns this season.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Trading established players can help the Colts build for the future by adding draft capital and creating room to reshape a roster that may no longer be competitive. Moving Taylor while his value is high could bring a substantial return and give the team more flexibility to assemble a younger, balanced squad.
The case against
Taylor is a highly productive player under contract, and keeping him could preserve a strong foundation for the team’s next phase rather than extending a rebuild. Trading a key player after already moving established teammates may also weaken the roster, unsettle supporters and make it harder to attract or retain talent.
Explained simply
Jonathan Taylor is a running back for the Indianapolis Colts, an American football team in the NFL. Running backs carry the ball to gain yards and score touchdowns. Taylor signed a two-year contract extension with the Colts in August, and he says he has not asked to leave.
The Colts have traded several established players, including guard Quenton Nelson and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, prompting speculation about further changes to the squad. Receiver Josh Downs has reportedly asked to be traded. NFL teams can trade players until the league’s deadline, and Taylor’s future matters to the Colts because he is a key part of their attack.