Colts Weigh Taylor Trade as Seahawks, Broncos, Giants Loom

WHO:

ProFootballRumors.com - Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner wants to remain in Indianapolis. The article also reports that Charvarius Ward considered retiring during the offseason after suffering three concussions in 2025.

CBS Sports - The Chicago Bears traded multiple picks, including two first-rounders, to the Tennessee Titans for defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. The Seattle Seahawks acquired guard Quenton Nelson from Indianapolis.

Heavy NFL - Colts tight end Mo Alie-Cox was drawn into the team’s trade-rumor discussion.

ProFootballRumors.com - The Indianapolis Colts are considering trading running back Jonathan Taylor, cornerbacks Sauce Gardner and Charvarius Ward, and receiver Josh Downs; Downs has requested a trade.

ProFootballRumors.com - Taylor, 27, is an All-Pro running back under a two-year, $44 million extension. Gardner, 25, is on a four-year, $120.4 million contract; Ward, 30, is on a three-year, $54 million deal.

ProFootballRumors.com - Teams linked to Taylor include the New York Giants, Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers, Cincinnati Bengals, Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks. The Giants and Vikings have been described as leading options.

NBC Sports - The Giants are pursuing Taylor and could also consider Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry, 32. Giants coach John Harbaugh has coached Henry.

Sportskeeda - Russell Wilson urged Taylor to join the Kansas City Chiefs, an AFC West rival of the Broncos, saying, “They got the money, they got the ownership.”

NY Post - The Seahawks, Broncos and Giants are among the teams favored by prediction markets to acquire Taylor.

Heavy NFL - The Buffalo Bills could pursue a linebacker described in the headline as a “$51 Million Linebacker” and a “Perfect Trade Candidate”; the article excerpt does not name him.

WHAT:

ProFootballRumors.com - A trade of Gardner would leave Indianapolis with a record-setting dead-money figure for a defender: more than $45 million.

ProFootballRumors.com - A general manager told Jason La Canfora that Indianapolis would probably trade Taylor for a second-round pick. Reports have also described an offer of a second-round pick plus additional compensation; a second-rounder is considered the likely minimum.

ProFootballRumors.com - The Colts lack a first-round pick. Taylor’s $15 million salary for 2027 becomes fully guaranteed only after February 19; a team trading for him would likely plan to retain him beyond 2026.

ProFootballRumors.com - The Colts’ Carlie Irsay-Gordon was described as “motivated to move.” An executive told La Canfora the team “wants to move a corner.”

ProFootballRumors.com - Trading Gardner would leave Indianapolis with more than $45 million in dead money and a $24.95 million 2027 guarantee. Ward’s 2027 salary is not guaranteed; the Colts might need to pay part of his roughly $7 million remaining 2026 salary to facilitate a trade.

ProFootballRumors.com - Clubs had asked about Downs before his trade request, according to The Ringer’s Tom Pelissero. Downs is in the final season of his third-round rookie contract. Keenan Allen, 34, is also identified as a possible trade option; he has six Pro Bowl selections and a $1.3 million base salary.

NBC Sports - Henry has 158 carries, 632 rushing yards, 4.0 yards per carry and eight touchdowns through eight games. His contract pays $12 million in 2027, none guaranteed. Harbaugh said, “I would love for us to be in that kind of a circumstance. A Derrick Henry circumstance or a Saquon Barkley circumstance or whatever it might be.”

ProFootballRumors.com - Carolina traded Christian McCaffrey to San Francisco for second-, third-, fourth- and fifth-round picks in 2022; the Rams and Bills also pursued him.

WHERE:

ProFootballRumors.com - Taylor is with the Indianapolis Colts; potential destinations named include teams in New York, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ohio, Missouri, Colorado and Washington.

NBC Sports - Henry plays for the Baltimore Ravens; the Giants are among the teams that could contact Baltimore about him.

WHY:

CBS Sports - The Baltimore Ravens and Philadelphia Eagles could seek quarterbacks after losing their starters; the Minnesota Vikings could consider a quarterback upgrade amid Kyler Murray’s struggles, despite a 6-1 start.

ProFootballRumors.com - Indianapolis is described as conducting a deadline sell-off. Taylor’s market includes multiple interested teams, but the article cautions that links to teams do not necessarily mean the Colts have received multiple offers.

NBC Sports - Baltimore’s quarterback injuries could prompt other teams, including the Giants, to inquire about Henry. A trade could give the Ravens draft compensation if they would otherwise release him before a $1 million roster bonus is due.

HOW:

ProFootballRumors.com - Denver has traded high draft picks under general manager George Paton: two first-rounders and two second-rounders for Russell Wilson; first- and second-round picks in the Sean Payton deal, which returned a third-round pick; and its 2026 first-round pick for Jaylen Waddle. The article says Denver is monitoring Taylor’s market but reports the asking price points to the Broncos standing down.

The Colts are considering a major sell-off, with Jonathan Taylor among several players potentially available. The Giants are pursuing Taylor, while Minnesota and other teams also show interest. Indianapolis may seek a second-round pick, but reports caution interest doesn’t guarantee offers.