Jonathan Taylor Trade Buzz Builds Around Vikings, With Deal Timeline Set

WHO:

Heavy NFL - Ed Dodds was identified as the Indianapolis Colts’ interim general manager, and Shane Steichen as the team’s coach.

Heavy NFL - Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon fired Chris Ballard.

Sportskeeda - Jonathan Taylor, the Indianapolis Colts running back, was identified as a potential major trade-deadline name.

Sportskeeda - The Minnesota Vikings and two NFC teams were linked to Taylor; the article does not name the second NFC team.

Sportskeeda - Chris Ballard was the Indianapolis Colts’ general manager before the team fired him.

Heavy NFL - The Minnesota Vikings and Jonathan Taylor were the subjects of a trade update.

Heavy NFL - Saquon Barkley was the subject of earlier online speculation about a possible Vikings connection.

WHAT:

Heavy NFL - The Colts entered Week 7 in second place in the AFC South, two games behind the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Heavy NFL - The Colts’ loss to the Tennessee Titans was at home.

Heavy NFL - The Minnesota Vikings were 5-0, while the Indianapolis Colts were 2-4 and had lost to the Tennessee Titans, who were 0-5.

Sportskeeda - Taylor was linked to two NFC teams ahead of the NFL trade deadline.

Sportskeeda - NFL fans reacted to the trade links with comments including “Vikings makes the most sense” and “It’s happening.”

Heavy NFL - The Vikings were described as “very likely” to be seeking a running back as the trade deadline approached.

Heavy NFL - The article said there was “no legitimate steam” behind speculation about Saquon Barkley and the Vikings.

Heavy NFL - The article said there was a timetable for a possible Jonathan Taylor deal, but the supplied excerpt does not state the timetable.

WHERE:

Sportskeeda - The Indianapolis Colts are based in Indianapolis; the article identifies the team as Taylor’s club.

Sportskeeda - The Minnesota Vikings and the two unnamed teams linked to Taylor are NFC teams.

WHEN:

Heavy NFL - The Colts’ owner fired Chris Ballard on Oct. 19.

Sportskeeda - The trade links emerged ahead of the NFL trade deadline.

Sportskeeda - The Colts fired Chris Ballard after a 2-4 start.

Heavy NFL - Speculation about Saquon Barkley and the Vikings circulated “a couple of weeks ago.”

WHY:

Heavy NFL - The Vikings’ possible move to 6-0 with a win over the Colts was raised as a factor in whether the team’s general manager might pursue a Jonathan Taylor trade.

Sportskeeda - Taylor’s trade prospects drew attention after the Colts fired general manager Chris Ballard following their 2-4 start.

Heavy NFL - The Vikings’ reported interest in a running back was connected to the approaching trade deadline.

The Indianapolis Colts have fired general manager Chris Ballard after a two-and-four start, and owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon has named Ed Dodds interim general manager. Coach Shane Steichen remains in place. The move has intensified trade-deadline speculation around running back Jonathan Taylor, with the Minnesota Vikings and two other NFC teams linked to him. The second team has not been identified. Minnesota was five and zero, while Indianapolis had just lost at home to the winless Tennessee Titans. The Colts entered Week 7 second in the AFC South, two games behind Jacksonville. The Vikings were seen as likely to seek a running back, and a possible win over Indianapolis that could make them six and zero was raised as a factor in whether their general manager might pursue Taylor. Earlier speculation connecting Saquon Barkley to Minnesota was described as lacking credible momentum.