What happened: The Indianapolis Colts could explore trading running back Jonathan Taylor or other veteran contributors ahead of the NFL trade deadline, per ProFootballTalk. The Seattle Seahawks, Denver Broncos, Minnesota Vikings, and Green Bay Packers have each weighed a potential move for Taylor, while offensive guard Quenton Nelson and defensive tackle Grover Stewart also surface as deadline candidates.

Why it matters: Indianapolis signed Taylor to an offseason contract extension featuring a substantial signing bonus, meaning a deal would leave a future salary cap charge while shifting his remaining base compensation and seasonal incentives to an acquiring club. Having parted with their upcoming first-round draft selection to acquire Sauce Gardner, the Colts face a pivotal roster crossroads with no Indianapolis player considered off-limits following front-office leadership changes. While Minnesota, Denver, and Seattle seek backfield reinforcements for postseason pushes, Green Bay welcomes Josh Jacobs back to its lineup and serves primarily as division leverage in negotiations with the Vikings.

What to watch: Indianapolis plans to evaluate its trajectory across upcoming matchups against the Minnesota Vikings, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Dallas Cowboys before committing to a deadline sell-off. How the club fares during that stretch, beginning with its scheduled meeting against Minnesota, will dictate whether Taylor and other veterans move before the trade window closes.