Jonathan Taylor offered a message of appreciation to Indianapolis fans on Sunday as questions about his future with the Colts continued ahead of Tuesday's NFL trade deadline. The running back did not confirm that he was leaving, but spoke about what the city has meant to him if his time with the franchise is ending.
Indianapolis lost 27-23 to the Dallas Cowboys, with Taylor finishing with 46 rushing yards on 13 carries and another 18 yards on five catches. Afterward, he was asked in the locker room whether the game might have been his last for the team that drafted him with the 41st overall selection in 2020.
Taylor said his approach was to treat every game as though it could be his last. He described Indianapolis as the place where he matured, started a family and developed a connection with the community. Reflecting on the possibility of a departure, he said he was grateful to a city that had helped shape his life.
Asked what he would want supporters to remember if a trade happened within the next 48 hours, Taylor emphasized his appreciation for them. He said playing for Indianapolis had given him the opportunity to showcase both his own work and that of his teammates throughout the seasons. His message to fans was simple: "Just know it was a pleasure."
Taylor's place in Colts history provides context for the uncertainty surrounding his future. A franchise whose backfields have included Hall of Famers Edgerrin James, Marshall Faulk and Eric Dickerson now counts Taylor as its career leader in rushing touchdowns, with 77. His 8,254 rushing yards rank second in team history. Entering the week, his average of 89.2 rushing yards per game stood fifth in NFL history.
Trade speculation intensified after Indianapolis sent offensive guard Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks and defensive lineman DeForest Buckner to the San Francisco 49ers. Fox Sports' Jay Glazer reported that the New York Giants offered second- and fifth-round draft picks for Taylor a couple of weeks earlier. That proposal is reportedly no longer available unless the asking price comes down.
Whether Indianapolis will reach an agreement remains uncertain. The Colts could value Taylor more highly than potential buyers and keep him beyond the deadline. For now, his comments amount to a conditional farewell, acknowledging the possibility of a move while leaving open the prospect that his Indianapolis career will continue.
