After six-and-a-half seasons in Indianapolis, Jonathan Taylor’s time with the Colts appears to be coming to an end. With the franchise entering a complete teardown and rebuild, the star running back effectively said goodbye to fans on Sunday following the team’s loss to Dallas.
Taylor had looked destined to break the franchise rushing record, sitting just over 1,000 yards shy of passing Edgerrin James for first place. Instead, he looks set to finish second in team history—remembered as a dependable, no-nonsense runner who helped keep the Colts competitive through some of their toughest stretches in the post-Andrew Luck era. With his departure seeming inevitable, the biggest question now is where he will play next.
Why the New York Giants Are Likely Out
Although New York could benefit from backfield help, a trade for Taylor now looks unlikely. According to ESPN’s Jordan Raanan, the Giants are turning their focus toward strengthening their interior defensive line rather than pursuing a running back.
The team reportedly believes Cam Skattebo can bounce back from injury, and feels that reinforcing the defensive front is the better move to position itself for a playoff run.
Colts Ready to Take the Best Offer on Tuesday
According to Pro Football Talk, Indianapolis is committed to trading Taylor this week, which likely explains his emotional comments after Sunday’s game. Rather than targeting a specific destination, the Colts appear ready to send Taylor to whichever team puts the strongest offer on the table on Tuesday.
Indianapolis had previously been reported to want a return similar to what Carolina received for Christian McCaffrey—a package that included second-, third-, fourth-, and fifth-round draft picks. At this stage, however, matching that kind of haul looks increasingly unlikely.
Four Teams to Watch in the Jonathan Taylor Trade Market
With the Giants reportedly stepping back, several other franchises stand out as possible landing spots:
-Minnesota Vikings: Minnesota is drawing heavy attention as a potential suitor, as adding Taylor could help take pressure off a struggling passing game.
-San Francisco 49ers: San Francisco has emerged as a dark-horse option to reinforce its offense in case Christian McCaffrey runs into trouble staying healthy.
-Cleveland Browns: Sitting within striking distance of the top of the AFC North, Cleveland is a team to watch given the inconsistent production from Quinshon Judkins.
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New England Patriots: Without a reliable ground game, too much pressure has fallen on Drake Maye to carry the offense. Bringing in a true three-down running back could make an immediate difference for New England.
What’s Next?
With the Colts shifting toward a full rebuild and open to dealing with the highest bidder, all eyes will be on Tuesday to see which team lands one of the NFL’s most proven running backs.
