The Minnesota Vikings may be the team that changes the whole Jonathan Taylor market.
With the November 10 NFL trade deadline closing in, Minnesota is being linked to both Taylor and Colts quarterback Daniel Jones, and that overlap could give Indianapolis a chance to squeeze out a massive return. NFL reporter Evan Sidery said the Colts could try to package both players together and ask for a 2027 first-round pick. If that happens, the Vikings could jump ahead of the New York Giants in the Taylor sweepstakes.
Sidery laid out the possibility this way: “The Vikings could now end up jumping the Giants as favorites to acquire Jonathan Taylor. With Minnesota also interested in Daniel Jones, the Colts can capitalize by offering both for their 2027 1st. Indianapolis has held out for that deal, and it might finally be arriving soon,” Sidery wrote.
The asking price for Taylor has been the sticking point. Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reported that Indianapolis wants a first-round pick or a return similar to what San Francisco got for Christian McCaffrey.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport also reported that the Colts are seeking a McCaffrey-type package, one that could include second-, third-, fourth- and fifth-round picks. Indianapolis also turned down an offer built around a second-round pick and a fifth-round pick, though some league sources questioned whether that report was accurate.
Minnesota has reasons to keep pressing. The Vikings have not gotten steady production from Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason, and Taylor would give their offense a major lift. The Giants also need help at running back, with Cam Skattebo not producing as expected, dealing with an injury setback, and Tyrone Tracy on injured reserve.
Even with that need, Minnesota looks like the stronger fit for Taylor because of its playoff outlook. The Vikings’ defense gives them a chance to compete, even with inconsistent quarterback play from Kyler Murray.
Jones is part of the picture too. He had considered the Vikings before signing with Indianapolis, so a return to Minnesota would not come out of nowhere.
But there’s a catch: because of the injury guarantees in his contract, Jones has some say in where this goes. He could refuse to waive those guarantees, which would make any deal more complicated.
For now, the Colts have a chance to turn one trade conversation into two major assets. And with the deadline approaching, Minnesota appears ready to make things interesting.
In Other News...
Colts Suddenly Have A Daniel Jones Decision Fans Cant Ignore
The Colts find themselves in an unexpectedly delicate spot with Daniel Jones, who has not settled in the way the team hoped and is now drawing attention as the trade deadline approaches. Multiple reports say Indianapolis has received inquiries about the quarterback and is at least open to listening, a notable turn for a player whose arrival was supposed to add stability rather than create another decision point.
Jones is also said to be interested in moving on, which only adds to the urgency around a situation that has quickly become one to watch. His struggles on the field have made the fit harder to sell, while his familiarity with Minnesota's offensive scheme gives one possible landing spot an obvious appeal, even if the Colts still have to decide whether holding him or dealing him makes more sense. [Read more 🡒]
Colts Could Be Pulled Into A Quarterback Race Fast
The quarterback market around the league has a way of shifting quickly, and the Colts could find themselves watching the ripple effects before long. Minnesota is sorting through its own options with Kyler Murray sidelined by a hamstring injury and Carson Wentz set to start against the Bills, a situation that could force the Vikings to keep exploring outside help if things go sideways on Monday night.
For Indianapolis, that kind of uncertainty matters because Daniel Jones sits in a spot where a trade would not be hard to imagine. Salary considerations are part of the equation, and with a new general manager set to arrive next year, the Colts could be open to moving him if the right opportunity develops, especially if the Vikings decide they need to act fast in a quarterback race that is still very much alive. [Read more 🡒]
Colts Face One Week 9 Problem The Numbers Keep Pointing To
The Colts head into Week 9 with the kind of statistical profile that makes a matchup feel a little more fragile than the standings might suggest. Against Dallas, the numbers point to a game where both teams can find openings in different phases, with the comparison driven by team rankings and Pro Football Reference data that lays out where Indianapolis can lean on efficiency and where it has to be cleaner.
For the Colts, the concern is less about one glaring weakness than the accumulation of them, especially when the margins tighten against a team that can sustain drives and finish them. Indianapolis has to sort through issues in several key areas if it wants to keep the Cowboys from turning those advantages into a long afternoon, and the matchup figures suggest the pressure points are easy to spot even if the full answer is not. [Read more 🡒]