The Indianapolis Colts could still trade key pieces of the current team, and one of the players who could be moved is running back Jonathan Taylor. Some think the team shouldn't play Taylor in Week 9 against the Dallas Cowboys since he could be traded. Head coach Shane Steichen sees the situation a different way.
Asked whether Taylor would play against Dallas by reporters on Wednesday, Steichen said the running back would because "he's on our football team."
As much as one can argue whether Steichen should still be the coach of the team, his reasoning for having Taylor remain a focal point of his offense is impossible to argue with. After all, while the team is clearly beginning down the path of rebuilding, Steichen and the rest of the coaching staff are still trying to win games.
Shane Steichen gives a simple reason why the Indianapolis Colts will play Jonathan Taylor in Week 9
Why would Steichen, who is fighting to save his job, not play one of his better players? That's nonsensical. He isn't going to sit a player who may or may not be traded simply to not risk Taylor getting injured.
If Steichen's job were safe and he knew he would return in 2027 and beyond, perhaps Taylor sits against the Cowboys, but even that doesn't make much sense. Indianapolis will have a difficult enough time winning any games after trading DeForest Buckner and Quenton Nelson. Not playing Taylor almost guarantees a loss.
So far, the Indianapolis Colts have taken a slightly different approach than many might have assumed. Instead of just a sell-off of excellent players, the team has only dealt Buckner and Nelson, who had expiring contracts. Indy extended another player, Adetomiwa Adebawore, who is just 25 years old and having his best season.
This relates to Taylor because he was extended before the season, so he is under contract through 2028. If owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon and acting general manager Ed Dodds continue their current approach, Taylor won't be traded but will remain a tentpole player as part of what the team hopes is a quick rebuild.
All of this points to Shane Steichen having a good reason for playing Jonathan Taylor in Week 9: The running back is unlikely to be traded, and the Indianapolis Colts still want to win football games. Most players don't just quit on their teams, no matter what fans might speculate.
Doing so makes those players look bad to prospective future employers. The Colts might not be a good team, but most players still hope to do well. That certainly includes Taylor, so maybe he will run for 250 yards against Dallas.
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