News Article
Published
Oct 19, 2026 at 08:20 PM EDT
The Indianapolis Colts sent shockwaves through the NFL world on Monday when they fired general manager Chris Ballard.
The Colts had a 72-82-1 record in 10 seasons under the 57-year-old Ballard. And after a 2-4 start this season, owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon had seen enough.
With quarterback Daniel Jones not living up to the two-year, $88 million contract he signed in the offseason, and the locker room clearly frustrated with the first six games, many expect a fire sale in Indianapolis now that Ballard is gone.
In fact, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer believes there’s two players currently on the Colts’ roster who could fetch some great returns to help jump start a rebuild.
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“It'll be interesting to see if pricey Colts veterans like DeForest Buckner and Jonathan Taylor now become available for trade,” Breer posted on X. “Remember, Miami moved guys after firing GM Chris Grier before the deadline last year.”
Buckner, a three-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro, has 26 tackles, 19 pressures, 10 hurries, four sacks, three QB hits, and a fumble recovery this season. He tied for ninth among defensive tackles in pressures, and he ranks 10th in the league in sacks.
In his first 10 seasons, Buckner has totaled 678 tackles, 523 pressures, 310 hurries, 125 QB hits, 75.5 sacks, 31 passes defended, 11 fumble recoveries, and nine forced fumbles.
Taylor, a three-time Pro Bowler, an All-Pro, and a former NFL rushing leader, has 492 yards rushing and seven touchdowns this season. He ranks second in rushing touchdowns and is sixth in rushing yards.
The 27-year-old running back is still in his prime and has rushed for 1,000 yards or more four times in his first six seasons.
Most analysts believe Taylor could fetch a package of first- and third-round picks in return. Conversely, Buckner could fetch a second-round pick plus another late-rounder.