The Indianapolis Colts have officially hit the reset button. In a whirlwind 24 hours, the franchise shipped off two of its biggest names, and now the rumor mill is churning over the future of star running back Jonathan Taylor.
On Tuesday, the Colts traded eight-time Pro Bowl guard Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks for a 2027 third-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick. The move didn't shock many, given Nelson's expiring contract. Hours later, defensive tackle DeForest Buckner was sent to the San Francisco 49ers for a 2027 fourth-round pick — a homecoming of sorts for Buckner, who began his career in the Bay Area.
With those two pillars gone, all eyes now turn to Taylor. The 25-year-old back has been a workhorse this season, racking up 587 rushing yards and eight touchdowns in just seven games. Despite being under contract through 2028, his name is surfacing in trade talks, and the Colts appear willing to listen.
According to Jonathan Jones of The Athletic, Indianapolis could land a second-round pick in exchange for Taylor. “Colts RB Jonathan Taylor would net Indy the biggest return, which NFL folks believe would be a 2-plus. But Taylor would be the hardest for the team to part with,” Jones said.
The interest in Taylor is real, with the Minnesota Vikings and Denver Broncos mentioned as potential landing spots. Both teams are in win-now mode and could use a dynamic threat out of the backfield.
But Taylor isn't the only offensive weapon on the block. Wide receiver Josh Downs, a former North Carolina standout, has 26 catches for 307 yards this season and could attract attention from receiver-needy squads like the Kansas City Chiefs.
As the Nov. 10 trade deadline approaches, the Colts are clearly in seller mode. They've already made two splashy moves, and the fire sale in Indianapolis might not be over. The team's Week 8 matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars could be Taylor's last in a Colts uniform.
For a franchise that once boasted one of the league's most formidable offensive lines and a bruising running game, this is a dramatic shift. The Colts are prioritizing future assets over present-day stars, and Taylor's departure would signal a full rebuild.
If the Colts do pull the trigger, they'll be parting with a player who has been the heart of their offense since being drafted in 2020. But in the NFL, loyalty only goes so far — and the promise of a second-round pick is hard to ignore.
