Indianapolis Colts star running back Jonathan Taylor is still playing despite being mentioned in trade rumors on a consistent basis. Taylor has emerged as one of the most popular trade candidates in the NFL as the deadline draws near. On Wednesday, Colts head coach Shane Steichen explained why the veteran running back is playing despite the swirling rumors, via James Boyd of The Athletic.
“Yeah, I think there’s a lot of stuff out there right now,” Steichen said. “He’s on our football team, and he’s excited for this opportunity to go play. He wants to go win this game. And he's on our football team.”
Taylor, 27, has earned three Pro Bowl selections in his NFL career. So far in 2026, the running back has recorded 610 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground. He's added 21 receptions for 202 yards through the air.
The Colts, however, are just 2-6 overall and in third place in the AFC South. It's a weak division for the most part, as Indianapolis is only a half-game behind the Houston Texans for second place. However, the 5-2 Jacksonville Jaguars lead the division and should be able to win the AFC South barring unforeseen circumstances.
Article Continues BelowTaylor will be a free agent after the 2028 campaign. The Colts don't have to rush to move him this season, but trading him would allow them to build for the future. He would draw a strong return in a potential deal.
For now, Jonathan Taylor is expected to continue to play. The NFL trade deadline is scheduled for November 10. It's possible that Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys could be Taylor's final game with the Colts. With that being said, a trade is not guaranteed to come to fruition.