Colts' Sell-Off Sparks Wife's Concern Over Jonathan Taylor's Future
As Indianapolis trades key players, Ayanna Taylor questions running back's potential departure.
The Indianapolis Colts' significant player trades on Tuesday have led to speculation about star running back Jonathan Taylor's future with the team. Taylor's wife, Ayanna Taylor, expressed her concerns in a series of TikTok videos, questioning if her husband might be the next player to be traded.
The Colts initiated a substantial roster shake-up by trading Pro Bowl guard Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the San Francisco 49ers, moves aimed at acquiring draft picks. These transactions followed the firing of general manager Chris Ballard.
In her TikTok posts, Ayanna Taylor shared her surprise and unease over the team's decisions. In one video, she wrote, "POV: You’re just tryin to relax at your hair appointment, but Colts players are getting traded left and right and your husband could be next." A subsequent, longer video questioned, "Q and now Deforest… should I start packing?!"
She elaborated on the emotional impact of these changes, noting that she had become accustomed to the consistent presence of players and their families during her husband's first seven years with the Colts. The recent trades, she said, have made her feel "off-kilter" and have her "mind spiraling."
Ayanna Taylor voiced worries about job security and personal life disruptions, asking, "Is literally anybody safe on this team? ... What does this mean for my husband and I? Do I need to start packing our bags? Are we going to be spending our daughter’s first Halloween together? Will we make it to game day, or was last week the last time my husband is putting on a Colts jersey?"
Despite the team's 2-5 record, Jonathan Taylor has been a standout performer for the Colts. As an All-Pro in 2021, he currently leads the NFL in rushing touchdowns with eight and ranks fifth in the league with 587 rushing yards. He is under contract with the Colts through the 2028 season.
While the team's willingness to trade a key offensive player remains uncertain, The Athletic's Jonathan Jones reported that trading Taylor could yield Indianapolis its most significant return in draft compensation. The NFL's trade deadline is November 10 at 4 p.m. Eastern Time.