Colts Trade Deadline: Former Teammate Says Jonathan Taylor Deserves a Contender
With the NFL trade deadline approaching Tuesday, former Colts quarterback Nick Foles weighs in on whether the team should trade their star running back.
By Ella Cox ·
The NFL trade deadline arrives at 4 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, Nov. 10. Teams across the league are currently in the final stages of evaluating their rosters and deciding whether to buy or sell assets for the remainder of the season.
The Indianapolis Colts have positioned themselves as sellers. Owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon has already authorized the trade of guard Quenton Nelson and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner. According to reports, Irsay-Gordon is now fielding calls regarding All-Pro running back Jonathan Taylor, quarterback Daniel Jones, and wide receiver Josh Downs.
Former Colts quarterback Nick Foles, who is preparing to serve as an analyst for the first NFL Thanksgiving Eve game, offered his perspective on the situation during an interview with OutKick. Foles noted the tension between personal sentiment and business strategy.
"As a person who was his teammate, I would never trade him, 'cause I know just what he brings to the team as a leader and as a player," Foles said. He acknowledged that Taylor is getting older for a running back but suggested that acquiring high-value draft capital is logical for a team in a rebuilding phase.
Foles predicted the move would happen despite his personal feelings about it. "I feel like you're going to do it. That pains me to say," he stated.
If the Colts proceed with a trade, Foles expressed a specific wish for Taylor's destination. "Please send Jonathan to a team that's a contender," he said emphatically. He argued that Taylor deserves the opportunity to compete for a championship given his status.
The Colts are reportedly seeking a steep price for Taylor. The benchmark cited in trade discussions is the deal between the San Francisco 49ers and the Carolina Panthers in 2022. In that transaction, the 49ers sent a second-, third-, and fourth-round pick in 2023, along with a 2024 fifth-round pick, to Carolina for Christian McCaffrey.
A trade of this magnitude would provide the receiving team with long-term value. Taylor is under contract through the 2028 season. This structure allows a contender to secure a top-tier running back for the current 2026 campaign and two subsequent seasons before an extension conversation becomes necessary.
Several teams are reportedly active in the market. The New York Giants, led by coach John Harbaugh, currently hold the top spot in the NFC East in his first season. They are considered a strong candidate to add an elite back to their offense. The Denver Broncos and Minnesota Vikings have also been linked to the Taylor trade rumors.
Foles will return to the broadcast booth on Nov. 25 for the Los Angeles Rams and Green Bay Packers game. The broadcast will feature a halftime performance by U2, marking the band's 50th anniversary. The trade deadline will determine the final rosters for that contest.
