Why Jonathan Taylor Isn’t Worried About His Indianapolis Colts Future After New York Giants’ Trade Attempt

Jonathan Taylor stayed with the Indianapolis Colts after the trade deadline© Image via: X/@NFL

A mural stays on the wall. A star stays in the huddle. When the NFL trade deadline passed on Tuesday, Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor was still a Colt, even though the New York Giants came calling with a second-round and a fifth-round pick. Owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon never got an offer she liked. Now Taylor has opened up about the whole saga. He sounded calm, careful, and ready to move on. Indianapolis sits at 2-7 after five straight losses, and the Miami Dolphins arrive Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium. Both need a win.

Jonathan Taylor Explains His Mindset After The Indianapolis Colts Kept Him

Taylor did not pretend the past few weeks were simple. Asked about the team's direction, he kept his answer short and respectful.

“That's way above my pay grade,” Taylor told the reporters. “Those are some hard decisions that you have to make. I'm glad I don't have to make those decisions. I'm glad I just have to come in here and make sure that I'm at my best each and every single day for my coaches and my teammates. So I would hate to be in that situation. I would hate to be in that situation.”

That is a veteran talking. At 27, Taylor has played seven seasons and understands the business side of football. He also knows a locker room watches how its leaders handle the noise. When reporters pressed on the trade question, he closed the door gently.

Just In: Colts RB Jonathan Taylor speaks on staying in Indy despite swirling trade speculation leading up to the deadline. https://t.co/rW8O9IJzAu

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“It's all water under the bridge now. That's why I was excited to come see you guys. I think we're going to talk about the Miami Dolphins now. Thought you were all sick of (trade speculation).”

Indianapolis Colts Face A Tough Road Without Quenton Nelson And DeForest Buckner

Keeping Taylor did not make the roster stronger. On Oct. 27, the Colts sent guard Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the San Francisco 49ers. Receivers Keenan Allen and Josh Downs followed just before the cutoff, landing with the 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs.

Taylor still has 656 rushing yards and eight touchdowns through nine games, plus 220 receiving yards on 26 catches. Yet the recent trend worries. He averaged 83.9 yards a game over the first seven weeks. In the last two, he gained 69 yards on 21 carries. Rookie Jalen Farmer now takes over at left guard, a hard job after following a star.

Taylor knows what the team lost.

“I would never want to lose a Quenton Nelson.”

The long view is brighter for Taylor himself. His two-year, $44 million extension runs through 2028, so Indianapolis can build around him. First, though, comes Sunday. The Colts need their best back to look like their best back again.