Broncos' Jonathan Taylor trade hopes just got a massive reality check

The chances of the Denver Broncos landing Colts' star running back Jonathan Taylor in a blockbuster in-season deal feel lower than ever.

A recent report from Albert Breer of SI.com indicates that the Broncos may be a "little less inclined" to trade for Taylor (despite genuine interest) because of the Colts' asking price.

What is the Colts' asking price?

Breer says the Colts are looking for a 1st-round pick or a "Christian McCaffrey-level package". Once upon a time, the 49ers traded 2nd-, 3rd-, 4th-, and 5th-round picks to get McCaffrey from the Carolina Panthers. It's not entirely unreasonable for the Colts to be holding out for a package of picks like that, but it also feels like it might justify the Broncos sitting out. And that's disappointing.

Broncos may be out on Jonathan Taylor unless the price tag is reduced

Here is the full quote from Breer regarding the Broncos and their interest in a Jonathan Taylor trade:

"The Giants, Broncos and Vikings have inquired, and discussed it, and it appears Denver and Minnesota might be a little less inclined to trade for Taylor now. Conversely, the indication I’ve gotten is that while the Giants aren’t offering what Indy wants, they are a serious suitor."

- Albert Breer

All of the optimists out there will read that and think, a little less inclined doesn't mean out...And that is fair. There has been nothing put out there by anyone in the know that indicates the Broncos are out on a Jonathan Taylor trade, but the asking price of a 1st-round pick is simply not going to be met.

It also feels unlikely that the Colts would get a McCaffrey-level package, because Taylor is at least a year older now than McCaffrey was when he was dealt from the Pantheres to the 49ers. The starting point of a 2nd-round pick is reasonable, and James Palmer has indicated as recently as Thursday night that the Broncos are "still interested" in Taylor.

It's absolutely noteworthy that the Broncos have maintained interest in Taylor despite the very well-known price tag of at least a 2nd-round pick at this point. This is purely an assumption, but it stands to reason that if the Broncos have maintained interest up until now, then they would seemingly be willing to part with a 2nd-round pick (at least) to get Taylor.

The fact of the matter is, the Colts don't want to trade Taylor for anything less than a blockbuster offer, and that's understandable. They can't just give away a player who has meant so much to them, even if he's going to be 28 next year.

They have to feel comfortable with the value they're getting from Taylor, whose expectation (per Palmer) is that he's going to be traded.

The question now becomes whether or not the Broncos will be aggressive enough to get him, or if some other team is going to pay the Colts' asking price.

And another question is how much does Taylor's value increase based on what else happens in Week 9? Another injury at running back around the league could throw other teams into the mix before Tuesday's deadline, and the field of interested teams already seems pretty expansive.

Broncos still need to make RB acquisition a priority

There are plenty of opposing viewpoints on this subject amongst members of Broncos Country, but the reality is that the team needs to prioritize acquiring help at the running back position.

The Broncos were burned by indecision in 2025 when they lost JK Dobbins to a season-ending injury just two days after the deadline. At that point, they were wishing they had sent a pick for Breece Hall, or whoever was available leading up to the deadline.

Nobody has really put it better (or simpler) than Broncos reporter Troy Renck:

He's absolutely right.

Every running back on the roster has either been injured or ineffective this season. The only back on the Broncos' roster who hasn't been placed on IR is ironically JK Dobbins, whose injury concerns are well-documented at this point.

With RJ Harvey and Tyler Badie currently on IR, the Broncos are missing two key backs the team relies on heavily on passing downs. Jonah Coleman has absorbed the majority of that role, and Coleman has clearly become the RB1 of this team with JK Dobbins continuing to struggle this season.

As good as Coleman has been, where are the Broncos going to be at running back if he gets hurt? He already spent 4 weeks on IR this season.

They simply can't afford to take that risk. Even if they go with something more budget-friendly like acquiring Tony Pollard from the Titans, reinforcements at the RB position are a necessity.

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