The latest Jonathan Taylor buzz has two familiar names attached to it: the Giants and the Vikings.
With trade rumors around the Colts running back picking up steam, The Athletic’s Jonathan Jones reported that both New York and Minnesota could emerge as suitors if Indianapolis actually decides to make Taylor available. For now, though, Jones says the Colts are not there yet.
“The New York Giants and Vikings could be potential suitors for Taylor if he’s available for trade,” Jones wrote.
At the same time, Jones made clear that Indianapolis has not opened the door just yet.
“The Indianapolis Colts are not entertaining discussions of a potential Jonathan Taylor trade. At least not yet,” Jones said. “After speaking with sources in Indy and around the league, my understanding is that the team needs to see what the landscape is like in a few weeks before deciding on their star running back.”
One unnamed team executive told Jones, “Indy ownership loves him,” and added, “They’d have to drop more games to move him.”
The timing is what has people talking. The Colts fired general manager Chris Ballard after a 2-4 start, and that move has pushed plenty of people to wonder whether Indianapolis is headed toward a deadline sell-off.
The next few weeks will matter a lot, because the Colts have a difficult stretch ahead with the Vikings, Jaguars and then the Cowboys before the Nov. 10 trade deadline. By then, Indy could be staring at a 2-7 or 3-6 record.
If that’s where things land, a Taylor move starts to make a lot more sense. The Colts could choose to cash in on his value and bring back draft capital for a roster reset or retool.
Minnesota, meanwhile, has the kind of backfield that could use a difference-maker. The Vikings are rolling at 5-0, but their offense has not exactly been lighting the world on fire, sitting 22nd in points and 12th in rushing yards per game. They currently have Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason, with Mason expected back from injury this week, but neither brings Taylor’s level of talent.
The Giants have their own mess in the backfield. Cam Skattebo has been a disappointment and landed in the dog house after fumbling issues, which left him with zero carries in Week 6.
New York turned to Najee Harris, but he has since been released after criticizing how the team used its backs last week. Tyrone Tracy remains on the roster, though he’s more of a complementary option.
The Giants aren’t built to chase anything major this season, but they still have a path to the division because the rest of the NFC East has been so rough. And Taylor would be more than a short-term fix. He’s under contract for two more years, which would make him a potential help for Jaxson Dart when he returns from injury in 2027.
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