The Indianapolis Colts dealt several veteran players at this year’s NFL trade deadline, but star running back Jonathan Taylor wasn’t among them.

Many believed Taylor was the Colts’ most prized possession heading toward the deadline, and that proved to be the case. Indianapolis was in communication with multiple teams regarding the running back but had a steep asking price. When no team met their blockbuster asking price, the Colts decided not to trade Taylor.

Stephen A. Smith Disgusted With Colts For Not Trading Jonathan Taylor

The Colts moved on from star guard Quenton Nelson, defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, and wide receivers Josh Downs and Keenan Allen.

Indianapolis accumulated one future third-round pick, two future fourth-rounders, two future fifth-rounders, and a future sixth-rounder through the trades.

With Taylor, the Colts wanted a significant return, reportedly seeking a first-round pick or an equivalent package. Multiple teams offered a second-round pick plus additional compensation, but Indianapolis declined those offers.

With Indianapolis standing pat, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith called out the team for trapping Taylor on a losing team after trading everyone else away.

“This is (Taylor’s) seventh season. You’ve done nothing. You’ve gone nowhere, and you just traded four veterans. So clearly, you’re moving in a different direction. You’ve acquired about five picks. You’re going in a different direction,” Smith said. “Your GM’s going. Your coach is about to be gone. Most of your veterans are being gone. Now, had you not traded those dudes, I would feel differently.”

“But because you’ve traded those dudes and you clearly sent a message, you’re saying that we’re moving in a different direction. We’re essentially rebuilding through the draft and beyond. Why keep him?” Smith asked. “The man’s been there for seven years. He’s been exceptional for the most part when healthy. He deserves to be in a better situation because we know that’s a pathetic purgatory-style situation. Why subject him to this continuously? Move on.”

Smith’s point was that Taylor has done his time in Indianapolis, given the franchise six-plus years of great football, and it’s time for the running back to have a chance on a winning team if the Colts are selling and rebuilding.

Unfortunately, the NFL is a business, and the Colts still think Taylor can be a piece to build around for the future. The team set its price for a potential trade of the running back, and nobody matched that.

Taylor ranks No. 17 in the NFL, according to PFN’s RB Impact Metric. Through nine games this season, he has rushed for 656 yards and eight touchdowns on 161 carries. However, he ranked No. 1 in the metric in 2025.

It’s not the first time in sports, and it won’t be the last, that a franchise holds on to its best player because it doesn’t believe the compensation is there to trade them.