The Indianapolis Colts appear to be entering a rebuild, after several seasons of coming close to contention without sustaining success. That has also put coach Shane Steichen among the NFL’s more vulnerable head coaches.
At first, the direction seemed clear: Indianapolis traded All-Pro guard Quentin Nelson to Seattle, then sent defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to San Francisco the following day. Now, though, the Colts may be easing off the trade talks for a few days. NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports that the team is expected to hold off through the weekend and consider moving its biggest assets on Monday or Tuesday, just before the deadline.
The idea, presumably, is to get the best possible return. It could work. It could also leave Indianapolis with fewer options.
The three Colts drawing the most interest are running back Jonathan Taylor, receiver Josh Downs and defensive tackle Grover Stewart. Other players could be moved, but those are the names most often mentioned.
Taylor is the biggest prize. The Vikings, Seahawks and Patriots all have plausible reasons to pursue him: Minnesota needs more offensive firepower, Seattle could use help in the backfield, and New England might want to take some of the burden off Drake Maye.
The Vikings are 6-1 and leading the NFC North, but it’s not entirely clear how much runway they have to keep that up. A deal now could give them a boost before Monday night’s game against Buffalo. If Minnesota loses and drops to 6-2, it could fall out of first place and start reconsidering its outlook. One loss wouldn’t end the Vikings’ season, of course, but it might make them less convinced that Taylor is worth a major investment. The Colts could see a strong offer disappear.
Seattle may also hesitate. The Seahawks have already traded with Indianapolis to strengthen their offensive line, and adding a running back as well could be more than they want to spend. A win over Arizona would put Seattle at 5-4, but the NFC playoff picture is crowded. The 49ers look well positioned in the NFC West, while the Rams are still in the mix. If all three teams win this weekend, it may be harder for Seattle to justify giving up multiple picks to chase San Francisco.
New England faces a similar question. The Patriots have a difficult game against Green Bay on Sunday, and a loss could leave them at 5-4. With plenty of competition for AFC wild-card spots, the team may decide it’s not worth surrendering draft picks just before the deadline. I can see why the Colts might want to wait, but the timing is tricky.
If the reports are accurate, Indianapolis is currently holding its cards. The longer the team waits, though, the more time potential buyers have to change their plans or decide their season isn’t headed where they hoped. The worst outcome for the Colts would be watching the most motivated teams drop out, then having to accept a weaker offer from a club such as San Francisco, which may know Indianapolis is determined to sell.
The same basic risk applies, though perhaps less dramatically, to Downs and Stewart. There seems to be a widening gap between the league’s strongest teams and those already looking toward 2027. This may not be a season with many contenders who feel one player will put them over the top, or teams willing to make an unusually bold deal. The more games teams play before the deadline, the clearer their situations become—and that clarity can make buyers more cautious.
For Indianapolis, this may be a bird-in-the-hand situation. Waiting could bring a better offer, but the Colts may regret not making deals while interested teams are still feeling urgent.
