Jonathan Taylor Addresses Trade Rumors After Wife’s Comments

Jonathan Taylor addresses trade rumors after his wife’s comments on social media.© X/@BleacherReport

Jonathan Taylor had little reason to make his future with the Indianapolis Colts a bigger story after Sunday's loss to the Minnesota Vikings. But his wife, Ayanna Taylor, had already put the possibility of a trade in front of thousands of social media users. With Indianapolis struggling and general manager Chris Ballard recently fired, the running back's future had become a subject of growing interest. Taylor did not distance himself from his wife's comments when reporters asked about them after the 16-10 defeat, choosing instead to focus on his work.

How Jonathan Taylor reacts to his wife's comments

Taylor made it clear that Ayanna's TikTok videos had not changed how he viewed the trade speculation surrounding him.

“I think it's been out there already, so I think her adding (to it) doesn't really change anything,” he said after the game, as reported by The Athletic's James Boyd. “You know everybody's on TikTok these days. So, you just have to come into work and stay focused.”

Ayanna had discussed the uncertainty facing the Colts and explained why her husband could become available before the November 10 trade deadline. She pointed to the team's losing record, Ballard's dismissal and the lack of first-round draft picks as reasons the franchise could consider moving established players.

Her comments went beyond football, too. Ayanna acknowledged that a trade could mean a new chapter for their family, leaving open the possibility that they might no longer be in Indianapolis.

“We're in a situation that we've never been in before,” she said in one of her videos. “This may be the first time we may not be on the same team, and we might get traded.”

Taylor had previously said he had not given much thought to the rumors. His latest response suggested that his wife speaking publicly about them had not changed his approach.

Why the Colts could consider trading Jonathan Taylor

Indianapolis faced a difficult decision after falling to 2-5. Taylor remained one of its most productive players, but his contract made him a valuable potential trade target. The running back signed a two-year, $44 million extension in August and was under contract through the 2028 season.

Minnesota had reportedly shown interest in acquiring him, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. FanSided's Zachary Rotman proposed a deal in which the Vikings would send Jordan Mason, a 2027 second-round pick, a third-round pick originally belonging to the Philadelphia Eagles and a sixth-round pick from the New York Jets to Indianapolis.

CBS Sports analyst Damien Harris argued that a move could benefit both sides by giving Taylor a chance to compete for a championship while helping the Colts recover draft capital.

Taylor rushed 18 times for 95 yards and a touchdown against Minnesota, including a 38-yard scoring run that extended his franchise-record career total to 77 rushing touchdowns.