The NFL trade deadline is barreling down on us, hitting at 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, November 10, and it looks like Indianapolis Colts star running back Jonathan Taylor could be one of the biggest names on the move. After the Colts fired general manager Chris Ballard, with interim GM Ed Dodds now considering building for the future, you just know things are about to get wild. The Miami Dolphins took a similar approach last season after firing GM Chris Grier, so this isn’t unprecedented.
Why Taylor’s Value Is Sky-High (Even If He Stays Quiet)
Jonathan Taylor is absolutely tearing it up, currently ranking seventh in the NFL with 655 scrimmage yards and tied for sixth with seven combined rushing and receiving touchdowns. This dude is a straight-up difference-maker, thriving in a Colts offense that’s basically one-dimensional, sitting 22nd in both passing and total yards. You know he can transform an offense. ESPN’s Stephen Holder reports “multiple teams” are already open to acquiring Taylor if Dodds makes him available, and you can see why.
But here’s the kicker: Taylor himself isn’t exactly shouting for a trade. “I think it would be a discredit and a disservice to my teammates and this whole organization to think about what could, what should, what may be,” he told Holder. That’s a stand-up move from a star player, even as the trade rumors swirl.
Now, the elephant in the room: his contract. Taylor is locked in through 2029, but his base salary jumps to a hefty $15 million next season. He’s 27, with 1,875 touches in 90 regular-season games, so there’s been some serious wear and tear. A team could snag him as a short-term rental, given this year’s prorated $7 million salary is reasonable, but the long-term cash is something to consider.
The Colts’ Steep Price Tag and What It Means for a Deal
Don’t think the Colts are just going to hand Taylor over. He’s been the centerpiece of their offense for years, and moving him would actually cost them a whopping $10 million in dead money next year. Ouch. So, yeah, they are going to ask for the moon.
Expect Indy to start negotiations demanding a first-round pick. A conditional second-rounder *might* get a deal done, but it’s going to be tough. We’ve seen similar blockbuster deals, like the Carolina Panthers getting multiple Day 2 picks for Christian McCaffrey in 2022,that was a 2023 second, third, and fourth-rounder, plus a 2024 fifth-rounder. McCaffrey was 26 and similarly skilled, so that’s the kind of package we’re looking at here.
The Denver Broncos Are Already Loaded at Running Back, But…
One team that’s getting buzz as a potential landing spot is the Denver Broncos, even though they’ve been busy beefing up their own backfield. They picked up J.K. Dobbins in free agency last year, drafted RJ Harvey in the 2025 second round, and added Jonah Coleman with a 2026 fourth-round pick. They’ve invested, big time.
The clock is ticking down to November 10. With Jonathan Taylor’s elite performance, his contract situation, and the Colts’ clear demands, this trade deadline is shaping up to be absolutely wild. Keep your eyes peeled, because wherever Taylor lands, it’s going to shake things up across the league.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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