The Denver Broncos have officially been linked to interest in trading for Indianapolis Colts star running back Jonathan Taylor, and it sounds like trade talks are ramping up at exactly the right time.
The Broncos ruled second-year running back RJ Harvey out for Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs with a knee injury he suffered in practice. While reports indicate that Harvey's injury isn't serious or long-term, short-term IR is also a possibility.
Even if Harvey is only going to miss a handful of weeks, this is now the second time he's been hurt this season (hamstring injury kept him out of Week 2). Rookie Jonah Coleman just returned off injured reserve with an ankle injury. JK Dobbins' injury history is well-documented at this point, and he seems to be at least a little frustrated with his role diminishing.
All of the context surrounding the Broncos' running game and running back position right now definitely ramps up the intensity surrounding the Jonathan Taylor sweepstakes.
Broncos have expressed "some level of interest" in Jonathan Taylor trade
Here is what ESPN's Adam Schefter had to say about the latest regarding Jonathan Taylor trade rumors:
"Multiple teams have reached out to Indianapolis, and those talks are said to be active and ongoing, according to sources.
The list of teams that have expressed at least some level of interest in trading for Taylor is thought to include the Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants and Seattle Seahawks, sources said."
- ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter
Schefter's report also includes intel that the Colts have already received an offer of a 2nd-round pick plus additional compensation for Taylor. Whether they rejected that offer or simply have it on the table remains to be seen.
At any rate, it seems like the Colts are holding out for more than just a 2nd-round pick and "change" for Taylor. They are going to want two really strong picks to get him off their hands.
And it makes a lot of sense that the talks are intensifying on a Saturday while games are about to be played on Sunday. The Colts could choose to hold Taylor out of their game against the Jaguars on Sunday, but do they really want to do that when their stance has been that they don't want to trade him in the first place?
If they are truly open to trading Taylor, which is now the indication, no team out there is going to want the Colts to let him play this weekend, get hurt, and all of a sudden a difference maker in a possible Super Bowl run is wiped off the board for no good reason.
Basically, the Colts are telling everyone to ramp up their offers, and that's understandable. They have Taylor under contract for multiple seasons beyond 2026, so there is no reason to just give him away in the middle of the year. They should get what they're asking for, at least within reason.
A package similar to the one the 49ers once gave up for Christian McCaffrey (2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th-round picks) is not likely going to happen. But the Colts might be able to get a 2nd and 3rd out of some team.
That should include the Broncos. Even though the Broncos have an obvious need for youth on the roster, they also have a wide-open Super Bowl window with this current roster. There is absolutely no reason they shouldn't be making moves to go all in right now if they feel there is a chance someone like Taylor can help.
The fact that Harvey is hurt should be the final sign the Broncos need to pull something off. They lost Dobbins at the worst possible time last year (2 days after the trade deadline), and the running game was non-existent from that point forward.
They can't make the same mistake twice. It's time to strike while the iron is hot.
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