Jonathan Taylor Addresses Trade Rumors Fueled by Wife's Social Media Rant
The Indianapolis Colts star sought to downplay speculation, but acknowledged his wife's online commentary complicated matters.
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor addressed trade rumors following the team's loss to the Minnesota Vikings, acknowledging that his wife's recent social media activity had amplified the speculation.
'It's been out there already, so I think her adding [to it] doesn't really change anything,' Taylor told reporters in Minneapolis after the 16-10 defeat. 'You know everybody's on TikTok these days. So, you just gotta… stay focused.'
Taylor was productive in the game, carrying the ball 18 times for 95 yards and scoring a touchdown for the Colts, who currently hold a 2-5 record. The team recently parted ways with general manager Chris Ballard.
Amidst the team's struggles, Taylor has been the subject of trade speculation, with reports from outlets like ESPN suggesting multiple teams have expressed interest in the Pro Bowl running back.
However, the most notable commentary on the rumors came from Taylor's wife, Ayanna, who posted a video on social media addressing the situation. She spoke about her husband's seven-year tenure with the Colts, noting that such longevity is rare in the NFL.
Ayanna Taylor described the team's current situation as unprecedented and suggested it was possible they might not remain with the Colts. She recapped the previous season, highlighting a strong streak with a new quarterback that ended when he was injured, leading to a decline in performance. She also referenced the team's recent 2-4 record, which stood at 0-5 before a win against the Tennessee Titans, and the subsequent firing of Ballard. She implied that this situation made previously untouchable players, including her husband, potential trade candidates.
She teased a further update on the trade rumors, but this has not yet materialized.
Fans reacted to Ayanna Taylor's comments with a mixture of surprise and criticism, particularly regarding her use of the collective pronoun 'we' when discussing her husband's employment. Some interpreted her statements as an attempt to engineer a trade.
Taylor signed a two-year, $44 million contract extension in August, which extends his commitment through the 2028 season, making any potential trade a complex scenario. The NFL trade deadline is set for November 10.