EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsINDIANAPOLIS -- In the end, Jonathan Taylor and Daniel Jones are staying home.The Indianapolis Colts' star running back and starting quarterback, respectively, were the subject of trade overtures by other teams in recent days and weeks but were not traded before Tuesday's trade deadline.The Colts did trade receivers Josh Downs and Keenan Allen to the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers, respectively. But the team's two biggest names aren't going anywhere.The Colts had been listening to trade inquires from around the league ever since the team's slow start and subsequent firing of general manager Chris Ballard last month. That led to the trades of veterans Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner on Oct. 27.But the Colts have long signaled the asking price for a Taylor trade was going to be high. The team, according to multiple sources, was asking for a first-round pick or equivalent compensation for the second-leading rusher in Colts history.The only team known to have come close was the New York Giants, who offered a second- and fifth-round pick, sources said. But, as Giants coach John Harbaugh confirmed Sunday, the Giants ultimately withdrew that offer. Whether any team made a last-minute push for the 27-year-old Taylor remains unclear. But the Colts, according to multiple sources, held firm on their position throughout the process.Still, as speculation hovered over the Colts in recent weeks, Taylor eventually expressed internally that he was open to a trade and came to terms with the notion that he might be moving on, a source told ESPN. Taylor even acknowledged the idea that last Sunday's loss to the Dallas Cowboys might have been his last game."I love repping the horse shoe," Taylor said. "It's out of our control now. The hay is in the barn. Now we just play the waiting game."He added, "I think you play every game like it's your last. But at the end of the day, this has been a spot where I grew up."It's unclear what the Colts were offered for the 29-year-old Jones, but they were consistent in signaling to teams they had no intention of trading him. One team source in recent days told ESPN the speculation surrounding a potential Jones trade should be ignored even amid Jones' struggles on the field.That, it appears, remained true even after the Minnesota Vikings' quarterback struggles deepened in Monday night's loss to the Buffalo Bills. The Vikings scoured the quarterback market Tuesday before finally executing a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders that reunited them with Kirk Cousins.Notably, Taylor and Jones both signed contract extensions this year. Taylor is signed through 2028 and Jones is signed through 2027. Taylor received a $15 million signing bonus and Jones received a signing bonus of $44 million. The players are just nine games into those new deals.Another complication for the Colts is the timing of all this. They were considering significant changes to the roster at a time when they haven't even begun in earnest the search for their next general manager. Deflecting the trade interest in Taylor and Jones means the decisions on their futures will likely fall to the team's next top executive.Some league observers told ESPN the Colts' moves seemed inconsistent, trading some key pieces but holding on to two of the most valuable ones. But, in the end, each of the four players the Colts have traded in recent weeks was in the final year of his contract and not likely to be a part of the roster in 2027.Now, with eight games remaining, the Colts are ready to move past what has been a difficult few weeks."It'll be great to get the trade deadline over," coach Shane Steichen said Monday. "There's been a lot of speculation. So, once that clears up ... we can focus on what need to focus on. And that's football."The Colts do not possess a first-round pick in 2027, but they now have 10 total picks after executing their various deals. Among them is their second-round pick, two selections in the third round, three in the fourth round and two in the fifth round.
