With the latest NFL trade rumors running rampant, the Chicago Bears and Indianapolis Colts may reportedly agree on a trade involving RB Jonathan Taylor. Ben Solak of ESPN made a list of ten bold predictions and believes the Colts and Bears can pull off a massive trade that could blow up the league, similar to the Myles Garrett deal to the Rams. Taylor, a former second-round pick, is one of the fastest downhill runners in the league. Right behind Baltimore Ravens veteran RB Derrick Henry, the Colts speedster continues to put together an illustrious career, recording 323 carries for 1,585 rushing yards and 18 rushing touchdowns in the 2025 regular season.
Despite the Colts losing QB Daniel Jones, the RB still carried this offense while Philip Rivers came out of retirement. It makes sense why the RB is a perfect fit for the Bears, though. Chicago traded WR speedster DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills, which now leaves them to depend on Rome Odunze and Luther Burden. Even though they drafted Zavion Thomas this year, they’re lacking that star power on offense.
This isn’t to say that Taylor is the savior of the Bears offense, but if they want to reach the NFC Championship Game, could they risk it all?
NFL Trade Rumors: Bears, Colts Connected in $15M Massive Trade
Trade Price Leaked
What would it actually take to get this deal done? Well, a lot of things would need to happen for the Bears to successfully pull this one off. They could offer veteran D’Andre Swift and a fourth-round pick for Taylor. This would be a no-brainer for the Colts, who are probably entering a rebuild soon with the current state of their offense. If the team can’t pick off pre-Jones injury, it’d be sensible for Indianapolis to move on from their star RB.
After extending Jones and superstar WR Alec Pierce, the team hasn’t entertained a new deal for RB. What are they waiting for? Does this mean a trade is on the way? Expect Taylor to be the main topic entering the 2026 regular season if the team can’t get a contract done for the RB. Entering the final year of his deal, it shouldn’t be too surprising if he’s in a new uniform before this year’s trade deadline.
Where else could he land? Obviously, the RB will garner plenty of interest during the season, especially if the Colts have an abysmal 2026 campaign. Here are three other teams that might spark interest in the speedster.
Other Possible Fits
Denver Broncos
Despite agreeing to a two-year deal to bring back JK Dobbins, the Denver Broncos are still left with a question mark in the backfield. RJ Harvey has done a remarkable job filling in as a starter while Dobbins dealt with yet another injury. Behind him are Jaleel McLaughlin and Jonah Coleman, who are barely getting touches.
It’s finally time to solidify this RB depth chart to help QB Bo Nix, who’s coming off a season-ending injury this year. He’s young, but the Broncos can’t rush him to throw passes in the pocket as often. Taylor is one of the best running backs in the league, and he could be the missing ingredient to get them in the Super Bowl. They’ve traded for WR Jaylen Waddle; is the Colts RB next?
Cincinnati Bengals
With RB Chase Brown entering his final year as well, are the Cincinnati Bengals prepared to pay him? The team will likely play out his current deal and seek out a bigger fish in the pond like Taylor to help QB Joe Burrow. After recaliberating it’s defense, don’t be surprised to see the Bengals start doing the little things to make Burrow’s life easier. If the Bengals can acquire the Colts RB, they could appear in the Super Bowl again alongside Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase.
Carolina Panthers
Here’s a wild take from a LWOS expert: The Carolina Panthers probably don’t fully trust RB Chuba Hubbard. Last offseason, the team signed Rico Dowdle to a one-year contract, and he came close to taking Hubbard’s job. Luckily for Hubbard, he came back in as the starter and outplayed Dowdle, but he arguably had more opportunities.
If it wasn’t for a lack of playing time for Dowdle, maybe the Panthers might’ve kept him before signing with the Steelers? With this, don’t be too surprised if the Panthers take a swing for Taylor to build one of the most dominant backfields for QB Bryce Young.
