The New York Giants, currently holding a 4-2-1 record and sitting atop the NFC East, have officially emerged as the clear favorites to trade for Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor. This isn’t just whispers, either: Jonathan Jones of The Athletic explicitly named the Giants and Minnesota Vikings as the “favorites,” but a critical cap issue for the Vikings swings the advantage decisively towards New York.
The Giants Are Primed For A Run (And A Big Move)
Let’s be real, the NFC East is wide open for the Giants right now. The Philadelphia Eagles are apparently a mess, the Washington Commanders only have one win entering Week 8, and the Dallas Cowboys are underwhelming. This 4-2-1 record isn’t just good luck; it puts the Giants in great shape to win the division. Even with someone like J.J. McCarthy at quarterback, the team’s performance has them feeling comfortable enough to be buyers at the trade deadline. We’ve seen some very encouraging play from their offense, even without Jaxson Dart, and their defense has seriously turned a corner, with Arvell Reese and Abdul Carter coming into their own. They’re built to make a move.
Why New York Has The Edge On Taylor
Here’s the kicker: while both the Giants and Vikings were identified as top contenders for Taylor, Minnesota has a major problem. Jones reported that Taylor “can’t fit under Minnesota’s cap right now.” That’s huge. It effectively takes the other “favorite” out of the running, leaving the Giants as the natural landing spot. Sure, landing Taylor would likely cost a massive amount of draft capital, probably a second-round pick and more on top of it, but with their current division lead and the Vikings sidelined by cap space, the opportunity is screaming at them. Plus, the Giants aren’t exactly in love with their current backfield situation. Cam Skattebo apparently isn’t the long-term answer, Tyrone Tracy was just placed on IR, and Najee Harris was cut recently. John Harbaugh could absolutely convince the front office to splurge on a talent like Taylor.
This isn’t just about a rental, either. If the Giants land Taylor, they would have him for the rest of 2026 as they push for the division title and a playoff run, plus he’d still be on the roster for the next year or so. The Giants are on their bye right now, but coming out of it for Week 9, or by the Week 10 trade deadline, acquiring Taylor would make perfect sense. With the Vikings’ cap problem, the Giants are the true favorites for the superstar Colts running back.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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