Despite weeks of trade speculation, Jonathan Taylor remained with the Indianapolis Colts after Tuesday’s deadline. The star running back had been viewed as one of the team’s most valuable trade assets as Indianapolis moved several veterans and shifted toward a rebuild.

After the Colts ultimately decided to keep Taylor, former Indianapolis punter Pat McAfee defended the franchise’s decision not to trade its star running back.

Pat McAfee Backs Colts’ Jonathan Taylor Decision

During Wednesday’s episode of “The Pat McAfee Show,” McAfee defended the Colts’ decision to keep Taylor, arguing that the team could not afford to move one of its best players without getting premium draft capital in return.

“I thought if we could not get a one for him, we should not trade him,” McAfee remarked. “I’ve been saying that pretty loud. I’ve heard a lot of people on TV say a second and a fifth is a really good haul for Jonathan Taylor… Are you talking about a team that doesn’t have a one [in] this upcoming draft? We should not be giving away every single one of our good players while not having a No. 1 pick still.

“I just think that would have been a tough pill to swallow for a team that’s gonna have to take a lot of punches in the next couple of years. So, Jonathan Taylor is still in the squad. Are we thinking they’re gonna rebuild around Jonathan Taylor? No. Is Taylor gonna be a piece that’s still on the team? Potentially. Great piece to have if you’re anyone who wants to run an offense through the offensive line.”

According to reports, the New York Giants had offered second- and fifth-round picks for Taylor a couple of weeks before the deadline, but that offer was later taken off the table.

The Colts fired general manager Chris Ballard last month and subsequently went on a selling spree, trading guard Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the San Francisco 49ers before dealing wide receiver Josh Downs to the Kansas City Chiefs and veteran receiver Keenan Allen to the 49ers on deadline day.

Taylor played just 68.8% of the Colts’ snaps during their Week 9 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, the third consecutive game with 70% or less since speculation about his future ramped up.

This season, Taylor has earned a PFN RB Impact score of 75.0 (No. 17 in the NFL) after amassing 656 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns on 161 carries.

Since being selected No. 41 overall by the Colts in the 2020 NFL Draft, Taylor has been one of the league’s most productive running backs, managing 1,000-plus rushing yards in four of his seven seasons in the NFL.

Taylor, who has earned three Pro Bowl nods and one First-team All-Pro selection, was rewarded with a lucrative $44 million contract extension in August.