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A Colts 2023 prediction that would shake up the NFL

By Jaleel Grandberry

Oct 30, 2022; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) runs
Oct 30, 2022; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) runs / Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
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One NFL writer is predicting the Indianapolis Colts will make a really big move during the 2023 season that would shake up the NFL.

With the NFL offseason in full swing, it’s time to look back and look ahead. For the Indianapolis Colts, looking back consists of analyzing all of the things that went wrong during Indy’s underwhelming 4-12-1 season. Looking ahead consists of planning out how to make sure that the next few seasons aren’t like 2022. One step of that plan has already been realized with the hiring of Shane Steichen.

Steichen now has the opportunity to lead a Colts team that has several talented players on the roster, even if it wasn’t reflected in last year’s record. However, as everyone is looking ahead, one NFL writer is predicting that Indianapolis will move on from one of those stars this year. In a recent Sports Illustrated prediction piece for every NFL team, Conor Orr predicts the Colts will trade away Jonathan Taylor at some point during the 2023 season.

Colts predicted to trade Jonathan Taylor

Orr argues that this isn’t even a bold prediction, explaining that between Taylor’s pending free agency and Indy’s new offensive coaching staff, Jonathan Taylor is likely to be on his way to another team in the not-so-distant future. Orr concludes the prediction by comparing it to the Christian McCaffrey trade, saying Taylor “can only do so much for the franchise before it’s senseless to hold onto him without recouping value.”

Orr makes a strong case but it’s certainly still a bold prediction. Jonathan Taylor is arguably the best running back in the NFL. Trading him away is a big deal and is something that’s hard to imagine the Colts actually doing, regardless of the contract situation. Taylor is the engine if Indy’s offense and even if Steichen is now in charge and a rookie quarterback is on the way, it’s hard to imagine that changing.

Additionally, Chris Ballard has already said that running backs still deserve to be paid when they’re special. Jonathan Taylor is a special running back, so Indianapolis is likely going to sign him to an extension, even if it makes him the highest-paid running back in the NFL.

READ MORE: Will Colts be using the franchise tag this offseason?

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