The Indianapolis Colts may be willing to discuss trades involving Jonathan Taylor, but a major internal concern could keep one of the NFL deadline’s biggest names in Indianapolis.
The Athletic’s Jonathan Jones reported Saturday that Colts owner and CEO Carlie Irsay-Gordon is concerned about how trading Taylor would affect the locker room after Indianapolis already moved franchise stars Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner.
According to Jones, sources in Indianapolis described the players’ mood as “definitely down” Wednesday following the Nelson and Buckner trades.
“(Irsay-Gordon) is worried about losing the locker room,” one team executive who has discussed trades with the Colts told Jones.
That concern makes Taylor different from the Colts’ other potential trade pieces, as the running back is the team’s best offensive player and a homegrown talent.
Trading Taylor, Jones wrote, would send “an undeniable signal” to the remaining players that winning in 2026 is no longer a priority, which seems to be the Colts’ main fear in pulling off yet another “sell-off” trade.
Jones’ report goes against Saturday morning’s update from ESPN’s Adam Schefter and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
ESPN reported Indianapolis is open to trading Taylor and has “active and ongoing” discussions with multiple teams, including the Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants, and Seattle Seahawks.
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Jones also identified Minnesota and New York as potential favorites if Taylor is moved, although Minnesota currently cannot fit him under its salary cap without restructuring contracts or having Indianapolis absorb salary.
Taylor is under contract through 2028 and has rushed for 587 yards with eight touchdowns on 140 rushing attempts this season. He’s a three-time Pro Bowler and made the All-Pro first team back in 2021.
