The Indianapolis Colts, sitting at a rough 2-4 record, just fired their general manager, Chris Ballard. You’d think that’s a signal to sell off talent before the NFL trade deadline, and plenty of teams are already eyeing names like Keenan Allen, Quneton Nelson, Josh Downs, and DeForest Buckner. But here’s the kicker: star running back Jonathan Taylor, the biggest name on that roster, isn’t on the trade block, at least not yet, according to Jonathan Jones of The Athletic.
Ownership’s Loyalty Runs Deep
Jones’ report is pretty clear: the Colts aren’t “entertaining discussions of a potential Jonathan Taylor trade.” Look, a 2-4 team firing its GM definitely makes them look like sellers, but moving a player as important as Taylor isn’t something you rush into. An executive told Jones that “Indy ownership loves him.” That’s a huge factor! They’re not just going to dump a franchise cornerstone because things are looking shaky. It means the Colts would have to “drop more games” before they even consider it. Teams interested in Taylor are going to have to play the waiting game this Fall.
The Schedule Decides Everything
The Colts’ upcoming schedule is absolutely brutal, and it’s going to be the deciding factor for Taylor’s future in Indy. They’ve got the Minnesota Vikings in Week 7, then the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 8, and finally the Dallas Cowboys in Week 9, all before the trade deadline hits. Talk about a gauntlet! If the Colts somehow manage to go 2-1 in that stretch, they might actually avoid a full-blown sell-off, especially one involving Taylor. But if they drop two of those three, or worse, lose all three games? Then Jonathan Taylor’s name is absolutely going to be front and center on the trade market. It’s that simple.
Don’t forget, Taylor’s contract runs beyond the 2026 season. The Colts aren’t *forced* to trade him, and they could totally keep him to maximize his value down the line. But for right now, he’s staying put. Keep your eyes glued to those next three games, because they’re going to tell us everything about whether Indy becomes a massive seller this season, or if they hold onto their star.
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.
Leave a Reply