Once the Indianapolis Colts fired general manager Chris Ballard, they also fired off shots to the rest of the NFL to closely examine their roster for potential trades.
NFL teams have been studying tape and discussing scenarios, trying to figure out if there is a way to acquire players from a Colts roster that includes running back Jonathan Taylor, guard Quenton Nelson, and defensive tackles DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart, according to league sources.
The big question is whether the Colts are willing to become sellers.
Sources informed of the Colts’ thinking believe this is their plan: try to win the next three games at Minnesota, at Jacksonville and against the Cowboys before the Nov. 10 trade deadline to give their coaches and players a chance to earn their way into the playoff mix.
If it does not go well, new chief of personnel Ed Dodds, a long-time lieutenant of Ballard, will work in concert with Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon and other members of the Indianapolis brass to deal resources and build for the future.
Here are some of the Colts who have garnered interest around the league:
• Jonathan Taylor: The Green Bay Packers, Seattle Seahawks, Minnesota Vikings, and Denver Broncos are among the teams that have, or are expected, to ponder the possibility of a trade for the star running back, according to sources.
The Packers explored the possibility of a Taylor trade in August 2023, when the Colts wanted wide receiver Christian Watson and more in return. The trade never materialized, but it’s not out of the question that talks could resurface again in an attempt to bring Taylor back to Wisconsin, where he was a college standout.
Despite signing a contract extension just before the season, teams view Taylor as a top trade target. A running back in his prime, the 27-year-old Taylor is due the rest of his nearly $7 million base salary this year, followed by $16 million next season and nearly $18 million in 2028.
While Taylor is the splashiest name being discussed in trades, sources informed of the Colts’ thinking made one strong point: Irsay-Gordon views Taylor as a key part of the organization and a likely mainstay in their rebuild. There is always a price, and this one would likely cost premium draft pick compensation.
• DeForest Buckner: One team that could decide to make a run at Buckner is the San Francisco 49ers, a team the star defensive tackle played for from 2016 through 2019, according to league sources.
The 49ers traded Buckner to the Colts in March 2020 for the 13th overall pick in that year’s draft. Buckner is now 32, playing as well as he ever has, and scheduled to be a free agent in 2027. It makes him a prime target at a position several contenders need.
Buckner already has been paid $10 million in a roster bonus, and he’s due the rest of his $13 million base salary this year. Nearly guaranteed to leave Indianapolis after the season, a decision to sell would almost certainly include Buckner.
• Quenton Nelson: Still one of the NFL’s best guards, Nelson is only 30 and also entering the final year of his contract. Though he expressed interest in a long-term deal with Indianapolis, Ballard never was able to finalize one that certainly would have paid Nelson at the top of the market at his position.
Similar to Buckner’s situation, there are several playoff-worthy teams who need guards, and adding one of the NFL’s best at a time when they are rarely available is a reason to watch this. Just like Buckner, if the Colts decide to sell, a trade of Nelson would be likely for the right price.
• Grover Stewart: The mammoth and unheralded defensive tackle is a little older at 33, but he still can play. Also in the final year of his contract with a base salary that pays him the rest of $11.8 million, Stewart is expected to be a trade target. Going to a contender might finally break him from the mold of being one of the NFL’s more underappreciated run-stuffers.
• Keenan Allen: Like Buckner, Nelson and Stewart, Allen is on an expiring contract, which automatically brings him into this conversation. If a contending team wants a reliable veteran wide receiver, Allen could draw interest.
One thing that has become obvious is that teams’ appetite for trades has increased in recent years. There have already been four trades this season, and since 2022, there have been an average of 17 trades per year from Oct. 1 up until the trade deadline. In each of the past two seasons, as it has become even trendier to make blockbuster deals, there have been 18 trades from Oct. 1 up until the deadline. While the Colts now provide some of this deadline’s headline names, there are others as well.
• Brian Thomas Jr: The mercurial Jacksonville Jaguars receiver is first-round talent who is now in his second season as the subject of trade rumors. Jacksonville has shown no signs of engaging in trade talks, though teams are expected to ramp up calls closer to the trade deadline. Thomas didn’t play in the second half last week against the Houston Texans, furthering speculation.
• Jerry Jeudy: The Cleveland Browns find themselves atop the AFC North with a surprising 4-2 record and plenty of promise. They reached that following a stirring win last week that included a clutch 33-yard run-and-coach from Jeudy, whose name has been the subject of plenty of trade speculation.
With Cleveland in the postseason mix and Jeudy maintaining a good attitude despite the emergence of rookies KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston at the wide receiver position, sources say his chances of being traded is viewed as less likely.
The Browns aren’t shopping Jeudy at all, and the price is high. It would take a premium deal to get Cleveland to move on — even if GM Andrew Berry is open to discussing any deal. But as of right now, a Jeudy deal seems unlikely.
• Chop Robinson: Everyone needs pass-rushing help this time of year, and promising cheap, young edge rushers are attractive. Considering the Miami Dolphins‘ winless record, Robinson is a name expected to garner some interest.
Yet Robinson is improving in Miami, and for a team collecting talent, keeping young players in-house makes sense. GM Jon-Eric Sullivan will always answer the phone, but the Dolphins view Robinson as part of their future, rather than a trade chip.
• Khalil Mack: There is expected to be interest in Mack from teams like the Chicago Bears, but the Los Angeles Chargers have given no indication that they are willing to make any trades at this time. The Chargers insist they’re trying to games, but that doesn’t mean they’re not going to get calls on Mack in the coming weeks.
• Josh Sweat: The Arizona Cardinals already have shown they are willing to trade a player for the right price. Back in August, GM Monti Ossenfort said the Cardinals were not interested in trading Sweat. But now Arizona is 2-4 and unless it turns around, it could be willing to listen to meaningful offers.
One team that could explore the possibility of a Sweat trade is the Dallas Cowboys, who are trying to salvage their season Monday night in Philadelphia.
