Jonathan Taylor Addresses Trade Rumors Amid Colts' 'Fire Sale'

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor has addressed swirling trade rumors, stating he has not requested a move and hopes to remain with the team. His comments come as the Colts have recently traded away veteran players Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner, moves that have fueled speculation about the team's direction.

"I haven’t heard anything," Taylor said Thursday, according to FOX59’s Mike Chappell. "I can’t control that, obviously. Like you guys know, I’m proud to wear the horseshoe, proud to be here. Similar to Quenton [Nelson] and [DeForest Buckner], they were proud to wear the horseshoe, they were proud to be here. But obviously, circumstances may cause otherwise. Hopefully that day may not come, but I can’t control that."

The Colts' recent trade activity began with sending All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks on Tuesday in exchange for draft picks. Later that same day, fellow All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowler DeForest Buckner was traded to the San Francisco 49ers for a 2027 fourth-round pick. Wide receiver Josh Downs has also reportedly requested a trade. These moves follow the Oct. 19 dismissal of General Manager Chris Ballard.

Despite the team's ongoing personnel changes, Taylor is attempting to focus on the upcoming game.

"The only thing that I can control is rallying these guys in the locker room, helping us put together a great plan and executing a great plan for Jacksonville because it's a division game and they're licking their chops right now. They think they're going to kick us while we're down and that has to be the point of emphasis," Taylor added.

While team owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon has reportedly expressed a desire not to trade Taylor, who signed a contract extension in August, the recent trades of players who had also signed extensions suggest that significant player movement is possible before the Nov. 10 trade deadline.

Head coach Shane Steichen acknowledged the rumors but stated Taylor remains with the team. "Those are hypothetical things right now," Steichen responded when asked if Taylor had requested a trade. "I know there’s stuff floating around there, but JT’s on our football team."

Taylor, 27, has been a key offensive player for the Colts, rushing for at least 1,100 yards in four of his six NFL seasons. He has accumulated 587 rushing yards and eight touchdowns through seven games this season.