Colts Turn Down Giants' Offer for Jonathan Taylor

Before kickoff Sunday, the video boards at Lucas Oil Stadium played a montage of Jonathan Taylor highlights. Then he went out and had one of his quietest days of the year: 13 carries for 46 yards and a lost fumble in the fourth quarter of a 27-23 loss to Dallas. Now the trade deadline is a day away, and the Colts have already said no to one offer. Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer confirmed the Giants offered a second-round pick and a fifth for Taylor, Indianapolis turned it down, and New York has pulled the offer.

The clock is real. The deadline is Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET, and the Colts are 2-7 after a fifth straight loss. They have already shipped out veterans for picks, but Taylor just signed an extension that keeps him under club control through 2028, which means Indianapolis does not have to take a deal it does not like.

What Indianapolis Wants

A second and a fifth was not enough, and the Colts are not willing to eat salary to make a trade work. Any team that gets Taylor will pay the draft capital Indianapolis asks for and take on his full contract. That is a big ask for a running back, which is why staying put now looks like the most likely outcome.

The Giants have not fully closed the door. John Harbaugh did not dispute the report after Sunday’s win in Philadelphia and said nothing was imminent. New York still has a reason to look, with Tyrone Tracy on injured reserve and Cam Skattebo coming off a hamstring injury. Minnesota was also viewed as a possible frontrunner, and Cincinnati, Denver, Kansas City, Green Bay and Seattle have all been connected to him.

Taylor Waits It Out

Taylor is the franchise’s career leader with 77 rushing touchdowns and the 2021 NFL rushing champion. He has 656 yards and eight touchdowns on 161 carries this season, and he did not pretend Sunday felt normal. “I love repping the horseshoe, but it’s out of our control now,” he said. “The hay is in the barn. We just play the waiting game now.”

He is not the only Colt in limbo. Quarterback Daniel Jones could also be moved, and receiver Josh Downs, who caught three passes for 24 yards against his younger brother Caleb Downs, asked for a trade last week.

Smacktok pick lean: If Taylor is still a Colt after Tuesday, lean higher on his rushing attempts when 1-7 Miami visits on Sunday. He has 161 carries on the season, so Sunday’s 13 was a light day for the Colts’ lead back. If he is traded, skip the play until his new team’s depth chart is clear.