Latest Jonathan Taylor trade rumors include a strong sign of caution for the Bengals
The Indianapolis Colts are open to moving Jonathan Taylor, and the Cincinnati Bengals have been loosely linked to the Pro Bowl running back for weeks. Indy has already turned down one offer, and the price tag remains steep.
The Cincinnati Bengals may need to give up serious NFL draft capital if they want to add Jonathan Taylor before the NFL trade deadline.
Per NFL insiders Ian Rapoport and Adam Schefter, the Indianapolis Colts are now open to trading their Pro Bowl running back.
Cincinnati has been loosely linked to Taylor ever since Indianapolis fired its general manager, Chris Ballard. Now it seems like Taylor getting traded away from his original team may very well happen in the next week and a half.
The problem, however, remains the cost to make it happen.
Colts holding out for a premium pick
According to The Ringer’s Tom Pelissero, the Colts have already turned down an offer for Taylor that included a 2027 second-round pick and an additional pick. Indy is holding out for a premium pick, such as a first-rounder, before trading away its best remaining player.
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This is where it becomes hard to see the Bengals ending up with Taylor before the Nov. 10 deadline.
Trading a first-round pick for a great nose tackle like Dexter Lawrence II is one thing. Trading their next first-rounder for a tailback is a different conversation entirely.
Running backs simply don’t get traded for first-round picks. It hasn’t happened for a RB over the age of 25 this century. If the Colts aren’t interested in a second-rounder with an additional pick attached, I can’t see Cincinnati presenting an offer that will win them over.
Bengals shouldn’t chase Taylor at current cost
Taylor’s trade value is equivalent to a single second-round pick in a fair trade, according to the A to Z Sports trade simulator. The Colts, however, aren’t looking for a fair trade for Taylor. They want to be blown away by an offer, as evidenced by turning down a second-rounder and more.
I would be more than okay with the Bengals packaging a Day 2 pick and an additional selection to see if they can pry Taylor out of Indianapolis. He would give Cincinnati a revitalized purpose to run the ball from under center, and force defenses to respect those looks considerably more than they do now.
If that isn’t going to get it done, the Bengals should probably stay out of these trade talks for now. Regardless of Taylor’s obvious talent, they have larger needs and can add solutions for them for a smaller cost in comparison.
Jonathan Taylor quick facts
The 27-year-old is currently in his seventh season in the league.
- Taylor leads the NFL with eight rushing touchdowns this season.
- He’s been a Pro Bowler in each of the last two years, and was a Pro Bowler and First Team All-Pro back in 2021.
- Indianapolis signed Taylor to a two-year, $44 million extension earlier this year.
Plenty of time left before the deadline
Of course, these reports come with more than a week to go until the deadline arrives. A lot can change in that span.
Interested teams could hold their ground and wait to see if the Colts eventually accept an offer similar to the one they’ve already received. Indianapolis setting a high asking price now doesn’t mean it will hold firm on Nov. 10 if nobody meets it.
Based on where things stand right now, though, Taylor sounds a bit too pricey to become a Bengal in the coming days. Whether the Colts lower their demands as the deadline approaches remains to be seen.
