Pretty much everybody following the NFL wants to know: Where is Jonathan Taylor headed?
Everybody other than Sean Payton, that is.
Payton dismissed a question about the Broncos’ interest in the Indianapolis Colts star running back and other offensive players during a Nov. 2 call with reporters.
“You’re asking me a question about gossip. George (Paton) and I will spend time looking at the team and anywhere we can improve it, but I’m not going to answer questions about internet gossip,” Payton said.
The Broncos have been linked to Taylor since the Colts began their fire sale ahead of the trade deadline. Denver has checked in with Indianapolis about the star running back, The Denver Post reported, although the team inquires about several players throughout the year.
The Colts have already traded star guard Quenton Nelson and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner and are now open to dealing the former NFL rushing leader, particularly after an embarrassing 42-7 loss to division rival Jacksonville on Sunday.
“I haven’t heard anything,” Taylor told reporters Oct. 29. “I can’t control that. Obviously, you guys know that I’m always proud to wear the horseshoe. I’m always proud to be here. … But obviously, circumstances may cause otherwise. Hopefully that day may not come, but I can’t control that.”
Taylor’s asking price will be hefty, though. Indianapolis reportedly wants an extensive package for the running back, including several high draft picks. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that the Colts turned down a trade offer that included a 2027 second-round pick and an additional pick.
What could a Taylor deal look like? Other star running backs have been dealt to contending teams before, including Colorado native Christian McCaffrey.
— In 2022, the San Francisco 49ers acquired McCaffrey from the Carolina Panthers for second-, third-, fourth- and fifth-round picks. McCaffrey has since earned multiple All-Pro honors with the 49ers.
— Coming off a Pro Bowl season the year before, the Miami Dolphins traded Jay Ajayi to the Philadelphia Eagles for a fourth-round pick in 2017.
— The Miami Dolphins traded a first-round pick and more to the New Orleans Saints for Ricky Williams in 2002.
— Three-time Pro Bowl running back Corey Dillon was traded from the Cincinnati Bengals to the New England Patriots for a second-round pick in 2004. Dillon rushed for more than 1,600 yards in his first season with New England.
— Broncos fans will remember the team trading Clinton Portis to Washington for cornerback Champ Bailey and a second-round pick in 2004.
Trade value changes from team to team and year to year in the NFL, but those deals could provide a general framework for what Denver would have to give up. The Broncos will compete with several other teams for Taylor’s services. The Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants, Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks have also inquired about Taylor, according to reports.
It would be a premium price to pay for a running back, something Payton has done before. He was part of the Saints’ regime that selected Reggie Bush with the No. 2 overall pick in 2006, traded a second-round pick and a first-round pick to move up for Mark Ingram in the 2011 draft and traded up for Alvin Kamara in 2017.
But the Broncos have also recently invested in their running back room. They selected RJ Harvey in the second round a year ago, took Jonah Coleman in the fourth round this year and re-signed J.K. Dobbins this offseason. Coleman also had the best game of his young career against the Chiefs on Sunday, posting 104 offensive yards and a touchdown.
“I think we’re continuing to work at the (run game). There were some glimpses yesterday,” Payton said Monday. “We’ll continue to work on that, and that’s something that we definitely feel like there will be improvement with.”
Denver also traded significant draft capital for wide receiver Jaylen Waddle this offseason and currently has less than $5 million available in salary-cap space. If Taylor is traded, his new team will be on the hook for $5,042,778 in 2026, according to Spotrac. That number will jump to just over $16 million in 2027, when Denver is projected to have around $14 million in available cap space — although that number could grow fairly easily with a few moves.
Cheaper running backs — in both salary-cap cost and trade compensation — may be available on the market. The Broncos could look at backs such as the Tennessee Titans’ Tony Pollard or Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Kenneth Gainwell. Denver was interested in the New York Jets’ Breece Hall last offseason, although Hall has missed five games this season with a quad injury.
Regardless of whether the Broncos trade for Taylor, expect Denver’s name to keep coming up in connection with offensive weapons. The Broncos lead the AFC West despite significant offensive struggles, and in an AFC arms race for the No. 1 seed, their Super Bowl window seems firmly open.
A rare day off
Over his 19 years as an NFL head coach, Payton has made his love of practice clear.
On Monday, however, he gave Broncos players a rare day off. Denver’s players will still go to the team’s facility to work out and watch film, but Payton gave them a little extra time off after the big win over the Chiefs.
The Broncos will travel to North Carolina to take on the Panthers before getting a full week off for their bye week.
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