Former Colt Nick Foles urges NFL buyers to send Jonathan Taylor to a playoff team
With the trade deadline hours away, Foles argues that if the Colts move their veteran running back, they should prioritize a contender over pure draft capital.
By Grace Almasi ·
Former Indianapolis Colts quarterback Nick Foles issued a direct plea to NFL front offices on Sunday, asking that any team acquiring running back Jonathan Taylor be in a position to compete for a championship. Foles, who played alongside Taylor in Indianapolis, said the 27-year-old athlete deserves an opportunity to win, not just another year in a rebuilding scheme.
The deadline for league trades is 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday. The Colts have positioned themselves as sellers this season. Owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon has already traded guard Quenton Nelson and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner. Reports indicate she is currently fielding calls regarding Taylor, quarterback Daniel Jones, and wide receiver Josh Downs. Interim general manager Ed Dodds is part of the decision-making process.
Foles spoke to OutKick about the situation while preparing for his new role as an analyst on Netflix for the first NFL game on Thanksgiving Eve. He admitted that his personal feelings conflict with his business perspective. As a former teammate, he said he would never trade Taylor because of his leadership and talent. However, as a decision maker in a rebuild, he acknowledged the logic of getting high draft capital for a running back who is getting older.
"I feel like you’re going to do it," Foles said. "That pains me to say." He emphasized that Taylor is a high-quality human being and player who would be dearly missed in Indianapolis. Yet, he believes the move makes sense from a business standpoint to secure future draft picks.
The Colts are reportedly seeking a steep price. Sources suggest they want a package similar to what the San Francisco 49ers received from the Carolina Panthers in 2022 for Christian McCaffrey. That deal included a second-, third-, and fourth-round pick in 2023 and a fifth-round pick in 2024. A team with that much draft capital could justify the trade, especially since Taylor is under contract through the 2028 season.
Several teams are active in the market. The New York Giants, who lead the NFC East in coach John Harbaugh's first season, are considered aggressive buyers. The Denver Broncos and Minnesota Vikings have also been linked to Taylor in rumors. The Giants need offensive depth, and a locked-in star running back would benefit their current and future rosters.
Foles will join Clay Matthews, Michael Irvin, and Elle Duncan on the broadcast crew for the November 25 matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and Green Bay Packers. U2 will perform at halftime to celebrate their 50th anniversary. The trade deadline will reshape the league before that game, determining which teams have strengthened their rosters for the stretch run.
