Jonathan Taylor trade rumors: Colts open to a deal, and the Packers are lining up

Five teams are in the mix for Taylor

The Colts are open to trading running back Jonathan Taylor, with multiple teams reaching out and discussions active and ongoing, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Saturday. ^[1] If you follow the Broncos, Packers, Vikings, Giants or Seahawks, your team is on the list: Rapoport and Schefter identified those five clubs as having shown some level of interest. ^[1]

The Colts are reportedly demanding a big return, but there is growing belief the organization will ultimately move him before the Nov. 10 trade deadline. ^[2]

Why the Packers stand out

Packers insider Bill Huber reported on Saturday, Oct. 31, that Green Bay is interested in acquiring Taylor, citing a source familiar with the situation. ^[2] NFL reporter Evan Sidery reported that the Packers are set to challenge the Vikings for the chance to trade for Taylor. ^[2]

Green Bay is 5-3 and fourth in the NFC North. ^[2] The Packers are averaging just 60.6 rushing yards per game even after Josh Jacobs' return, the worst in the NFL. ^[2]

The Jacobs allegations in Green Bay

The league put Jacobs on the commissioner's exempt list in August, keeping him out of the first six games. ^[2] He scored twice in the Packers' 27-19 Thursday night win over the Carolina Panthers, his second game since returning. ^[2]

Jacobs' case traces to May 23, when a woman told police he had thrown her onto the ground. ^[2] He was arrested three days later and entered a no contest plea on Sept. 10 to misdemeanor criminal damage to property and battery. ^[2]

Police records released Friday night showed three other women came forward after the May arrest to accuse him of abuse. ^[2] The records describe incidents the women said occurred in April 2021, January 2022, and May 2022. ^[2]

The NFL said it will review the new allegations as part of an investigation that remains open. ^[2] Jacobs' attorneys said the Brown County District Attorney's office had the allegations for months and determined only two misdemeanor charges were warranted. ^[2] The Packers had no immediate comment. ^[2]

What Taylor brings

Taylor has rushed for 587 yards and a league-leading eight touchdowns this season. ^[1] Over his seven-year career he has 9,832 total yards and 84 touchdowns. ^[1]

He signed a two-year, $44 million extension in August, so the 27-year-old would not be a rental for a contender. ^[1] He is the third-highest-paid running back at $22 million per year and is under contract through 2028. ^[1]

A Colts team in upheaval

The Colts are 2-5 and fired general manager Chris Ballard after a loss to the previously winless Tennessee Titans in Week 6. ^[1] In the same week as the Taylor reports, they shipped guard Quenton Nelson to the Seahawks and defensive lineman DeForest Buckner to the 49ers. ^[1]

Wide receiver Josh Downs requested a trade as he plays out the final year of his contract. ^[3] Arizona previously held out wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. before dealing him to the Texans last month, a route the Colts are not taking with Taylor. ^[3]