Indianapolis Colts trade star running back Jonathan Taylor to NFC contender in ESPN’s latest bold predictions for the 2026 season
There are a lot of unknowns surrounding this Colts team heading into 2026 and it’s led to a very bold prediction regarding star running back Jonathan Taylor’s future in Indy.
Jonathan Taylor is one of the true knowns for the Indianapolis Colts heading into this season, but his post-2026 future is anything but.
That’s because Taylor is entering the final year of the three-year, $42 million extension he signed back in 2023. He’s definitely lived up to the deal, so far, and turns 28 years old in January of next year. Another strong season will more than likely put him in line for a big deal when the 2027 offseason rolls around and it’ll definitely eclipse the $14 million-per-year average he received with his prior deal.
That in itself creates a question of whether or not the Colts should make such an investment after the deals they gave Daniel Jones and Alec Pierce. On top of that, there’s the fact Taylor’s 1,738 total touches rank third-most out of all skill players since 2020. Meaning, there’s a lot of wear and tear despite the fact he’s only 27.
All of the above, plus the overall unknown that is the 2026 version of the Colts, has led ESPN’s Ben Solak to predict Taylor gets shipped to the Chicago Bears before the regular season trade deadline in November:
A playoff-aspiring team that has viable change-of-pace backs but no dominant starter would love to grab Taylor for a one-year rental. Should he perform well, that team could give him that two-year, pay-as-we-go extension that running backs often get with their third contract…
… The Bears make perfect sense. Chicago’s rushing attack led the league in success rate last season, thanks in large part to great line play and excellent scheming from coach Ben Johnson. Now imagine that group with a home run hitter like Taylor breaking into the second level.
… The Colts are an impossible team to predict with confidence in 2026. All-in aggression and total deconstruction are both possible given the change in ownership, the hot seat for both head coach and general manager, and the wide range of outcomes at quarterback. But either at the deadline or in the 2027 offseason, they’ll be faced with a tough Taylor decision. Enjoy him in Indianapolis while you still can
ben solak
ESPN
What could the Colts get in this hypothetical Jonathan Taylor trade?
A lot of it depends on what Taylor is doing at the point the Colts decide to trade him. If he’s off to a start akin to last year, well, Chris Ballard should definitely get something nice in return.
A player can mean anything and is almost impossible to gauge, but there’s definitely a world where a successful start to Taylor’s season nets a Round 2 pick at its highest. I mean, the Texans just traded Juice Scruggs, a 2026 4th and 2027 7th to the Texans in return for David Montgomery who isn’t anywhere close to the same player Taylor is.
I mean, if Taylor is playing at an MVP-caliber rate, maybe the Colts get a first-rounder, but that’s still probably unlikely. Mainly due to his contract status. But it could be possible.
Either way, it’s a high ceiling when it comes to draft capital in return. But should the Colts move on from one of their best players unless it’s absolutely clear the 2026 season is a lost one?
A fast answer is “no”, especially when considering the fact that yea, Ballard is on the hot seat. Why would he trade a guy who can help win games and add a sense of security, no matter how big or small, to his job? The chance he’s around to use the additional draft capital in 2027 would be slim-to-none in this hypothetical, anyway. Riding it out and hoping for the best makes the most sense for him, personally.
Ownership could force his hand, though, understanding that trading Taylor is best for the franchise, no matter who’s running the show.
Regardless, it’s going to be something to watch once the season kicks off. Taylor has made it clear he wants to be a Colt forever, but as we all know, wishes in the NFL are exactly that and the only thing that matters is what happens on the football field.