Schultz: Colts waiting until after Week 9 to trade

The NFL’s trade deadline looms on Tuesday, Nov. 10, but Indianapolis has signaled a very specific pause button. Insider Jordan Schultz wrote that, "barring an offer that blows them away," the Colts will hold off on any moves until after their Week 9 showdown with the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, then revisit the pile of calls on Monday and Tuesday.

That timing decision is more than a scheduling footnote. Rapoport, citing sources, says Indianapolis is asking for a “Christian McCaffrey‑like package” for Taylor – roughly a second‑ through fifth‑round pick spread – and a third‑ or fourth‑rounder for Downs. The Giants, Packers, Broncos, Seahawks, Bengals and Vikings have emerged as the loudest suitors for Taylor, while the Commanders, Steelers and Chiefs are named as logical landing spots for Downs.

The Colts sit 2‑6 and have slipped into a four‑game losing streak, making the postseason unlikely. They also entered the 2026 season without a first‑round pick in 2027 and lack a long‑term answer at quarterback – Daniel Jones, acquired last summer, has not solidified the role. In that context, the front office appears intent on converting aging contracts into draft capital before the window closes. Waiting until after the Cowboys game lets them gauge how the matchup unfolds (a win could soften the urgency, a loss could intensify the seller’s market) while also giving teams a few more days to sharpen offers as the deadline approaches.

The gamble, however, is palpable. Some analysts speculate Indianapolis might bench these players in Week 9 to protect their assets, a move that would be both pragmatic and provocative. Conversely, an unexpected surge in interest – perhaps a franchise‑ready team willing to meet the McCaffrey‑style price – could force the Colts to act sooner, overturning Schultz’s timeline.

Fans and fantasy owners should watch three signals this week: (1) any shift in public statements from the Cowboys’ coaching staff about protecting their own roster; (2) a sudden spike in trade rumors on the X accounts of the Giants, Broncos or Steelers; and (3) injury reports emerging from Lucas Oil Stadium after the Sunday game. If none of those materialize and an offer meets the price range, the Colts are poised to flip Taylor, Downs and Stewart on Monday or Tuesday, likely in exchange for a package of mid‑round picks that fuels a rebuild centered on drafting and a new quarterback solution. If an “blow‑away” deal surfaces before the game, the narrative could flip dramatically, accelerating the fire sale and reshaping the AFC South landscape before the end of the season.