Once again, the Indianapolis Colts couldn't get much going on Sunday. Not even Jonathan Taylor, their usual savior, could keep the offense ahead of the sticks against the Jacksonville Jaguars' stout run defense.
Of course, playing from behind all game didn't help one bit, but in the greater scheme of things, there was no reason for Taylor to even be there. Not with the November 10 trade deadline zooming in, Josh Downs requesting a trade, and DeForest Buckner and Quenton Nelson already with new teams.
The fact of the matter is that the Colts have no business holding onto Jonathan Taylor for a day longer. They don't have a quarterback, a general manager, or even a first-round pick, so there's no clear way out of this mess. It's time to let him go.
The Indianapolis Colts must move on from Jonathan Taylor while they still can
The Colts gave Taylor a two-year, $44 million contract extension that includes $39 million guaranteed. He'll make around $15 million in 2027 and roughly $10 million in the following season, making his contract extremely tradeable.
Taylor is 27, so he's in his physical prime. That said, he's averaging a career-worst 4.1 yards per carry, and running backs tend to age in dog years. Realistically, his trade value will never be higher than it is right now.
The Colts have reportedly shut down all inquiries, including one that would've given them a high second-round pick. They might be looking at something like what the San Francisco 49ers gave up for Christian McCaffrey, and rightly so, but that's just not realistic at this point.
The Colts can maybe dangle whatever they get in return for Taylor to move up and acquire a first-round pick. They desperately need premium assets, but holding onto their star running back won't get them that.
The Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers, Seattle Seahawks, and Minnesota Vikings have all been floated as potential landing spots for Taylor. He has strong trade value, and maybe the Colts are just trying to drive up his value to create a bit of a bidding war.
But even if that's the case, that's even less reason to play him. What if he gets hurt? What if he continues to struggle to find breathing room behind the offensive line? They won't make the playoffs this season— they won't even come close, so what's the actual point here?
Daniel Jones has gone the extra mile to prove he's not the right guy, and with no general manager or a clear path to land top assets ahead of a stacked draft class, keeping Taylor only delays the inevitable.
We've seen teams hold onto their stars for too long, only to trade them for pennies on the dollar later. Things are likely to get worse before they get any better, and as much as the fans and the organization should appreciate Taylor for wanting to stay put and push through adversity, that's not good asset management.
It's sad, and it's not ideal, but a team has to do what a team has to do. Cut him loose; let him play for a contender.
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