Colts Risk Failed Talks With Star’s $42M Contract Year

A weird Jonathan Taylor trade rumor could take a huge turn later this upcoming season after the Indianapolis Colts failed to negotiate a new deal this offseason. A Bleacher Report source connected Taylor to the Titans in a latest proposal, and it sounds too good to be true. While the Titans have done well upgrading their offense, drafting WR Carnell Tate and signing Wan’Dale Robinson, nobody should anticipate the three-time Pro Bowler joining Tennessee. It would be a dream for QB Cam Ward, but the Titans are still years away from postseason contention, and they’re still rebuilding under his leadership.

Also, Titans RB Tony Pollard is still on the roster, so it wouldn’t have made sense unless the Titans released him, which would be a different story. However, no one should expect the Colts to move Taylor this upcoming season, but if a team offers them a deal like the Myles Garrett care package, they could consider it. It’s reasonable that the source made the rumor, as the Colts RB is one of the biggest names in the league.

If the team did move on, it would be just as shocking as the Garrett trade. Meanwhile, the Colts extended Alec Pierce this offseason, and with Taylor entering the final year of his deal, it could complicate talks after the 2026 season.

Jonathan Taylor Trade: Colts $42M Delay May Cost Millions

Let’s state the obvious here: the Colts’ delaying contract talks could possibly hurt them in terms of their relationship with the RB. Last season, Taylor finished with 323 carries for 1,585 rushing yards and 18 rushing touchdowns to go with 46 receptions for 378 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns. He’s been one of the most explosive ball-carriers like a young LaDainian Tomlinson, and he hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down.

The former second-round pick isn’t turning 28-years-old until next year, which means he still has a good 5-6 years left of massive production. While the Colts got deals done for QB Daniel Jones and Pierce, they left out their RB, who arguably carried their offense, out of the long-term picture.

So What Now?

As said before, nobody should expect a trade to happen, but frustrations could loom if the RB doesn’t receive a new contract before the 2026 season. Earlier this offseason, Miami Dolphins star RB De’Von Achane reset the RB market coming off his rookie deal. After that happened, the Colts continued to stay silent, and the team hasn’t entertained any negotiations at all.

It’s likely the Colts will let their RB play out his final season of the current three-year, $42 million extension. If he explodes for another season, it would get pricier for the team needing to extend him. The most daunting aspect of it is that Taylor will be an unrestricted free agent once the 2026 season is over.

Could he enter free agency? This would be the biggest swerve in the NFL landscape, as it wouldn’t be shocking to see the RB not be valued as a long-term asset. However, let’s be real, they’re not allowing the RB to walk. What they could do is franchise tag him and wait it out until there’s an agreement on a new contract.

Tag and Trade is Possible

Even if he receives a tag, there’s a guarantee he won’t be satisfied, and a holdout could be coming next offseason. The All-Pro has the leverage in this situation, and the Colts are only burying themselves in a bigger hole if they wait. Depending on how the Colts 2026 season plays out, there’s a chance they could trade Taylor to build draft capital. If Jones flops and the Colts want to embrace a full rebuild, the RB should be in a new uniform come 2027.