The Indianapolis Colts are in disarray, having just fired long-time general manager Chris Ballard following a tough loss to the winless Tennessee Titans. While they sit just two games behind the division-leading Jacksonville Jaguars, the organization feels like it’s in complete turmoil. This naturally brings Pro Bowl running back Jonathan Taylor into the trade discussion. With the NFL trade deadline set for November 10, the Colts have time to listen to offers if they decide to blow things up. At just 27 years old, Taylor is coming off back-to-back Pro Bowl seasons with over 1,400 rushing yards, making him one of the most sought-after names on the market.
On the other side of the country, the Denver Broncos are struggling to get their ground game going. Despite re-signing J.K. Dobbins this past offseason to a hefty $8 million per year—a massive four-fold increase from his previous deal—the running back hasn’t lived up to the hype. Dobbins is averaging a career-low 3.3 yards per carry, and while part of that falls on the caliber of defenses Denver faced early on, the offensive line has also struggled to create holes. It’s hard to find any part of the Broncos’ offense that has met expectations so far this season.
This is where Taylor suddenly becomes highly appealing. However, the financial reality of a potential trade is complicated. Taylor signed a two-year, $44 million extension in August, carrying a $16.1 million salary-cap hit for this season. That number jumps to $21 million in 2027 and nearly $23 million in 2028. For Denver, this presents a major challenge. The Broncos already have several key free agents to worry about after the 2026 season, and wide receiver Jaylen Waddle’s cap hit is set to balloon from $4.8 million to $27 million in 2027. On top of that, quarterback Bo Nix will be eligible for a contract extension next spring, and the going rate for a franchise quarterback starts around $40 million annually.
Still, Denver has ways to clear cap space. Parting ways with left guard Ben Powers and right tackle Mike McGlinchey after this season would free up enough cash to absorb Taylor’s deal, provided the team has viable replacements ready to step in. Depth players like Kage Casey at left guard and Alex Palczewski at right tackle could fill those roles in 2027.
As for the trade compensation, the Colts will likely start by asking for a second-round pick, along with some late-round compensation. Given Taylor’s high mileage—over 1,650 career carries since entering the league in 2020—the Broncos might try to negotiate that down to a third-round pick and a conditional Day 3 pick in 2028. However, because Taylor is still relatively young and under contract for two more years, Indianapolis might hold firm for a second-rounder. The Christian McCaffrey trade in 2022, where the 49ers gave up a second, third, fourth, and fifth-round pick, serves as a benchmark, but Taylor’s age and wear-and-tear make a haul of that size unlikely. A second-round pick seems like the realistic floor to pry him away.
If the Broncos decide to go all-in, they would need to adjust their offense to fit Taylor’s strengths. Denver runs out of the shotgun far too often, and they would benefit from getting Nix under center more to build a strong play-action game. Taylor would be an instant upgrade. He is a three-time Pro Bowler and a former first-team All-Pro who led the league in rushing in 2021. Even on a struggling Colts team, he has already rushed for 492 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging 4.0 yards a carry. He is on pace for nearly 1,400 yards and 17 touchdowns. The Broncos haven’t had a 1,000-yard rusher since Phillip Lindsay in 2019, and having a reliable workhorse like Taylor behind Bo Nix would change the dynamic of the entire offense.
Ultimately, the Broncos’ hesitation likely stems from their current backfield situation. They have invested in Dobbins and are waiting for rookie fourth-rounder Jonah Coleman to return from injured reserve to get a better look at him. After giving up a first- and third-round pick for Jaylen Waddle—which hasn’t paid off yet—Denver might be hesitant to make another major trade. Sean Payton loves Dobbins, and the team could easily part ways with him after this season without taking on much dead cap space. Meanwhile, RJ Harvey has already carved out a key role as a “joker” weapon in the passing game. While Taylor would be a massive upgrade over Dobbins, the Broncos will likely want to evaluate Coleman first before making any big moves. With only a few weeks until the trade deadline, all eyes will be on whether Denver decides to make a splash.
