Denver Broncos Weigh Trade for Colts Star Jonathan Taylor

Denver Broncos fans heard the roar again on Sunday as the team defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 28-24 at Empower Field. The victory gave the Broncos a 19-3 record at home, a stark contrast to their 12-10 mark away from Denver. Coach Sean Payton told reporters on Monday that he and general manager George Paton will evaluate the roster to find areas for improvement, though he declined to address specific rumors about trades.

The conversation in Denver has turned to Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor. Payton acknowledged the internal discussion but noted he was not answering questions about internet gossip. Team officials believe acquiring Taylor could solidify the Broncos as Super Bowl favorites. The current offense has struggled to move the chains, converting only nine of 48 third-down opportunities in the last four games. On Sunday, the team gained just 25 yards on its first 16 first-down plays, excluding penalty yards.

Taylor offers a different profile than the Broncos' current backfield. Over seven seasons, he averages 5.0 yards on first down and 5.0 on second down. He is also efficient in short-yardage situations, averaging 3.8 yards per carry on third downs of three yards or less. In the red zone, he has 183 career carries inside the 10-yard line, resulting in 56 touchdowns for a 30.1% conversion rate. This compares to J.K. Dobbins, who has three touchdowns on ten carries inside the 10 this season, and RJ Harvey, who has six touchdowns on 15 such attempts.

The financial cost of the trade is high. The Panthers traded Christian McCaffrey to the 49ers in October 2022 for four draft picks, including a second-rounder. The Colts are expected to demand a first-round pick and change, or a package led by a second-rounder. According to OverTheCap.com, the Broncos had only $4.4 million in salary cap space as of Friday, the ninth-worst in the NFL. Taylor carries a $21 million cap hit in 2027 and $22.98 million in 2028.

The cap situation is complicated by the rookie deal for quarterback Bo Nix, which costs $5.08 million this season and $5.9 million next. If the team exercises a fifth-year option in 2028, his cap hit could rise to $29.9 million. Nix's representatives are reportedly seeking $45 million to $50 million per year in a long-term contract. Additionally, 14 players, including linebacker Brandon Jones and safety Riley Moss, are on expiring contracts after this season. This creates a tight financial window for the team to make major moves.

Linebacker Alex Singleton praised the home crowd, calling it the best in the world. The Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes agreed that the environment at Empower Field is hostile and loud. He noted that the Broncos' goal-line stand was a major factor in the loss. If the Broncos trade for Taylor, they would be paying a premium to secure a player who fits specific offensive needs, such as catching the ball, blocking, and anchoring the offense in close games.