The Indianapolis Colts have already turned the league’s trade season on its head, and they may not be done yet.
After moving Quentin Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks and DeForest Buckner to the San Francisco 49ers, the Colts are firmly in “sell” mode following the termination of General Manager Chris Ballard. Jonathan Taylor could be next on the move before the November 10 trade deadline, but Cleveland Browns backup quarterback Shedeur Sanders has also surfaced as a name to watch.
Daniel Jones’ season has unraveled after a strong start. The Colts opened 2025 at 8-2 and looked like a legitimate AFC top seed, but Jones went down for the year and Indianapolis lost its final seven games. Through this season, he has four touchdown passes and seven interceptions.
That’s part of why some around the Browns think Sanders could be an intriguing target for Indianapolis. ESPN Cleveland has floated the idea of the Colts trading for him, with the thinking that Sanders could give the fan base something new to rally around while the front office comes under fire. If he flashes, the Colts might even stumble into their quarterback of the future.
At the same time, Cleveland may be in position to deal him. Deshaun Watson has gone 5-2 and is said to be shaking off rust with each passing week, even though Sanders was expected to be in the mix by now. The Browns could also soon have another roster decision to make when Dillon Gabriel comes off injured reserve and takes up a spot.
Todd Monken has not “gotten there yet” in deciding on the quarterback depth chart once Gabriel returns. Sanders has drawn praise for his processing of the offense, but his physical talent may cap the ceiling. With Cleveland in “win” mode, there may not be much appetite for a long evaluation.
Still, the fit in Indianapolis comes with plenty of questions. The Colts signed Jones to a two-year extension last offseason worth an average of $ 44 million per year, so moving on quickly would be a hard pivot. If they want a quarterback on a rookie deal, the better path might be drafting one in the first round, especially with a high pick likely coming thanks to their record.
In that scenario, Jones could handle the final year of his contract and start the season much like the Las Vegas Raiders are doing with Kirk Cousins. And with the Colts likely heading toward a new coach and general manager next season, the next decision-makers should be the ones choosing the quarterback.
There’s also the question of whether Sanders would benefit from being dealt at all. It is believed Watson won the starting job over Sanders because the veteran was better at getting in and out of the huddle and lining up the offense.
If Sanders has not fully grasped the Browns’ system after the offseason and training camp, a midseason move would be a lot to ask. Sanders and Watson have complemented each other all offseason, and Monken has done a great job coaching them to success.
For now, Cleveland may simply be better off keeping him. The Browns do not need to force a deadline deal, and the organization does not appear eager to disrupt the good vibes around the team. As for the Colts, they have already torn the roster down to the bolts, and a Sanders trade might not move the needle enough to justify it.
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