Colts keep Taylor and Jones as trade deadline passes

Big Stars Stay Put

The Indianapolis Colts decided to keep star running back Jonathan Taylor and starting quarterback Daniel Jones. Both players drew interest from other teams over recent weeks. However, no deals materialized before the trade deadline on Tuesday.

The team did make other moves. Receivers Josh Downs and Keenan Allen went to the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers respectively. Veterans Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner were traded on October 27 after a slow start and the firing of general manager Chris Ballard last month.

Interest in Taylor and Jones

The Colts held a high asking price for Taylor, looking for a first-round pick or similar compensation. The New York Giants offered a second and fifth-round pick, but withdrew that offer on Sunday. Taylor admitted he was open to a trade internally and thought a recent game against the Dallas Cowboys might be his last.

"I love repping the horse shoe," Taylor said. "It is out of our control now. The hay is in the barn. Now we just play the waiting game."

Meanwhile, the team had no intention of trading Jones. The Minnesota Vikings explored quarterback options before trading for Kirk Cousins instead. Both Taylor and Jones signed contract extensions earlier this year and are locked in for several more seasons.

Moving Forward

Decisions on the future of Taylor and Jones will likely wait for the next general manager, as the search has not yet started. The Colts traded players who were in the final year of their contracts, while holding onto players signed for the long term.

Coach Shane Steichen expressed relief that the deadline has passed. The team now has ten total draft picks for the future, including extra selections in the upcoming rounds. With the speculation behind them, the Colts turn their attention back to the remainder of the season.