The Indianapolis Colts are 2-5 and quite unlikely to win their next game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. This probably means the team will be no better than 3-6, and probably worse. More changes than just firing general manager Chris Ballard should be on the way.
The NFL trade deadline is on November 10. Not only might players be gone by that point, but staff changes, too.
Owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon proved she isn't afraid of making in-season moves, as she could have waited to fire Ballard. She didn't. Fans shouldn't be shocked if other necessary moves are made, all in the hope that the future is brighter than what fans have had to deal with for more than a decade.
4 members of the Indianapolis Colts organization who could be gone by the trade deadline
DeForest Buckner
Buckner has been a fantastic player for the Colts since he came to the team in 2020. Before that, he played for the San Francisco 49ers, and he could find himself back there in a trade. Since Buckner is in his 30s and entering the final year of his contract, he might not bring anything back other than a third-round pick (at best), but that would be worth the move.
This isn't a time to hold on to players because of past glories and because they have been elite off the field, too. Buckner has made it clear in the last two weeks that he is tired of losing. That probably means he gets traded now, or Indy loses him in free agency.
Jonathan Taylor
Taylor might have the highest trade value of any player on the roster. Indianapolis (rather, Chris Ballard) overspent on cornerback Sauce Gardner last season, but no team is going to give the Colts multiple first-round picks for Gardner. Not even one, most likely.
Taylor might not be traded for a first-round pick either, but a second-rounder should be the least Indy gets. The team might be able to get a second-round selection and a late-round pick.
One of the best values for any team acquiring Taylor is that he was extended before this season, so he is under team control for a couple more seasons beyond 2026. He wouldn't be a rental, but a guaranteed long-term fixture of the team that adds him.
Josh Downs
Downs is a pure slot receiver and is in the final year of his deal. He probably could be more productive in a different system, and many wide receiver-needy teams exist. Indianapolis might only get a third- or fourth-round choice for Downs, but stacking selections is key.
A new general manager is going to want to build the team how he or she wants, and a great way to do that is to have plenty of draft selections. Not doing anything before the trade deadline would be worse than making any move.
Shane Steichen
This isn't all about trades, but about people in the franchise who might be gone before the deadline. Steichen's decision to stick with Daniel Jones at quarterback proves further that he shouldn't be the head coach. He won't be around next season, almost certainly, so why let him drag the current team more?
He could be temporarily replaced by defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, who the Colts already give everything he wants defensively. Anarumo won't be the long-term coach either, but he might make decisions that are for the betterment of the team. Steichen can't do that.
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