Colts' Taylor 'proud to wear the horseshoe,' but concedes future uncertain

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• Stephen HolderOct 29, 2026, 01:12 PM ET

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  Stephen joined ESPN in 2022, covering the Indianapolis Colts and NFL at large. Stephen finished first place in column writing in the 2015 Indiana Associated Press Media Editors competition, and he is a previous top-10 winner in explanatory journalism in the Associated Press Sports Editors national contest. He has chronicled the NFL since 2005, covering the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2005-2013 and the Colts since 2013. He has previously worked for the Miami Herald, Tampa Bay Times, Indianapolis Star and The Athletic.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Colts running back Jonathan Taylor confirmed he has not asked for a trade amid the team's roster overhaul, but he acknowledged that any and all changes are possible.

"I haven't heard anything, and I can't control that," Taylor said. "Obviously, you guys know that I'm always proud to wear the horseshoe, proud to be here."

But the same could be said for guard Quenton Nelson and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner before the franchise cornerstones were traded in a wild pair of deals Tuesday. Nelson was sent to the Seattle Seahawks, and Buckner was dealt to the San Francisco 49ers.

"It was all speculation until stuff started happening," Taylor said. "Those guys are the gold standard of the NFL. And obviously the business side of things, that's where it sucks at. I wish some way, somehow, I could have done more, because I wanted to win for those guys. We wanted to get it done here with those guys."

After the Colts faded down the stretch last season, and in light of their 2-5 start this season, it is widely expected that they are rebooting the team. But Taylor, saying he was focused on this Sunday's road game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, seemed oblivious.

"You think we're rebuilding?" he asked when a reporter posed a question about the possibility. "For me, being a competitor ... no one goes out there to wave the white flag. We're going out there to compete. We're going out there to get a W."

Still, Taylor continues to draw interest on the trade market, with several teams making overtures to the Colts about his availability. It remains unclear where Indianapolis stands on dealing Taylor, but this week's deals made it clear the Colts are likely headed for an organizational reset.

Whether Taylor will be part of that is the question. He signed a contract extension in August that takes him through the 2028 season. But he is the best remaining asset the Colts have on their roster, as evidenced by other teams reaching out.

Taylor said he spoke this week with principal owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon but didn't divulge the details of that conversation.

Having gone through a protracted contract standoff with the Colts in 2023, during which he requested a trade, Taylor is well versed in the business of football. That knowledge has prepared him for any outcome.

"You know that the day always comes," Taylor said. "Whether you like it or not, the day may come. You may get to stay somewhere forever, but you understand the business side of it."