Giants trade target Jonathan Taylor admits he can't escape deadline rumors

The New York Giants have been at the forefront of the Jonathan Taylor sweepstakes, and the star running back himself just admitted he can't escape the swirling trade rumors.

"You can't avoid it," Taylor told reporters in Indianapolis on Thursday.

"Internet, all of that stuff. You can't avoid it. But it's more about trying to block that out."

The NFL trade deadline is set for Tuesday, November 10, at 4:00 p.m. ET.

Taylor, 27, is widely considered the biggest name available on the market.

The Colts are expected to move their fire sale into full swing, and Taylor is the centerpiece of that strategy.

The Giants have been linked to Taylor for weeks.

First-year head coach John Harbaugh's system in New York is seen as a perfect fit for Taylor's skill set.

Whether the Giants have the capital to pull off a blockbuster remains to be seen.

Big Blue does own its first, second, and third-round picks in the 2027 NFL Draft.

Those picks could grease the wheels for a deal.

Taylor acknowledged the uncertainty has been difficult to manage.

"No one wants uncertainty," Taylor said.

"Until the past couple weeks, it's kind of been the same thing. But it won't be until Tuesday at [4 p.m. ET] where you'll know exactly what's going on, you'll know exactly what the verdict is."

The Colts running back has been fielding questions about his future for the last two weeks.

He played amid the rumors in last week's loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

The plan is for him to play against the Dallas Cowboys this week.

Taylor said he is working to keep his focus on that game.

He does not want "external factors creeping in and trying to alter your play."

That task will become much easier once there is certainty about where he will be after November 10.

In eight games this season, Taylor has rushed for 610 yards with eight touchdowns.

He was held to just 23 yards rushing on Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

But that was not due to trade speculation.

The Colts quickly fell behind 28-0 at halftime and took their starters out in the fourth quarter of the 42-7 blowout loss.

Taylor had strong comments about his own play after Week 8.

On Thursday, he said he is working toward finding ways to better help his team whether he has the ball in his hands or not.

"We got an opportunity, especially this week after last week, to come back and put a better product on the field," Taylor said.

"That's my biggest goal. I mean, last week was tough. You never want to go and put that on display, as a whole, as a group."

Taylor emphasized that the team's main goal is to get a win at home against the Cowboys.

"Just having the opportunity to go out there and not necessarily make things right, but put a better product on the field than last game, that's our main goal," Taylor said.

"We got to go out there and we got to get a win. It's at home. The fans deserve it."

The NFL trade deadline has become a major event in recent years.

Teams that are out of playoff contention often sell off veteran players for draft picks.

Contending teams acquire those players to make a push for the Super Bowl.

The Giants are currently in a rebuilding phase under Harbaugh.

Adding a proven running back like Taylor could accelerate that process.

Taylor is in the prime of his career at age 27.

He has already proven he can be an elite back in the NFL.

In 2021, he led the league in rushing with 1,811 yards and 18 touchdowns.

He also added 360 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns that season.

Injuries slowed him in 2023 and 2024, but he has returned to form this season.

His 610 rushing yards through eight games put him on pace for over 1,200 yards.

His eight touchdowns show he remains a red-zone threat.

The Colts have struggled this season.

They are currently near the bottom of the AFC South standings.

That makes them natural sellers at the deadline.

Taylor is on an expensive contract for a running back.

He signed a three-year, $42 million extension with the Colts in 2023.

A team acquiring him would take on that salary.

But for a contender, the cost might be worth it.

The Giants have cap space to absorb the contract.

They also have the draft capital to make a competitive offer.

Other teams are also monitoring Taylor's situation.

The Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears have been mentioned as potential suitors.

But the Giants appear to be the most aggressive.

Taylor said he tries to block out the noise by staying off social media.

"Let's say you're getting online. Whatever you're getting online to do, go get it done," Taylor said.

"And whether you have some type of marketing obligation, get it done, and then you're off of it."

He acknowledged that the rumors will persist until the deadline passes.

"But you're not going to avoid it, not until it's all over," Taylor said.

The running back position has been devalued in the modern NFL.

Teams are increasingly using committees rather than featuring one workhorse back.

But Taylor has proven he can be a difference-maker when healthy.

The Giants have not had a dominant running back since Saquon Barkley left.

Barkley signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in free agency after the 2023 season.

Since then, New York has used a rotation of Devin Singletary and rookie Tyrone Tracy Jr.

Neither has produced at an elite level.

Adding Taylor would instantly upgrade the Giants' backfield.

Taylor's combination of speed, power, and vision makes him a complete back.

He is also a capable pass-catcher out of the backfield.