Image by Indianapolis Colts, resized.The Colts' sell-off: Ballard out, Nelson and Buckner gone, Taylor still running
Image by Indianapolis Colts, resized.From 8-1 to 2-5
In 2025 the Colts started 8-1, then lost their last eight games and finished 8-9. It was Shane Steichen’s second straight 8-9 season.
This year has gone the same way. After a 2-2 start, Indianapolis has lost three in a row, most recently 16-10 at Minnesota in Week 7.
- Lost 41-23 to Baltimore
- Lost 33-30 at Kansas City
- Beat Houston 19-17
- Beat Washington 30-13 in London
- Lost 34-22 at Pittsburgh
- Lost 26-20 to Tennessee after leading 13-0 at halftime
- Lost 16-10 at Minnesota
The Titans had been winless before that Week 6 game. Daniel Jones threw two interceptions and was sacked six times, and the home crowd booed.
The general manager goes
On October 19, the day after the Tennessee loss, the Colts fired general manager Chris Ballard in the final year of his contract. Steichen kept his job. Ed Dodd became interim general manager.
The Colts last made the playoffs in 2020. Another miss would be the sixth in a row.
Image by Indianapolis Colts, resized.Quenton Nelson to Seattle
On October 27, Indianapolis traded Quenton Nelson to the defending champion Seahawks for a 2027 third-round pick and a 2028 fifth-rounder.
Nelson was the No. 6 pick in 2018 out of Notre Dame and the only left guard the Colts had known since. He made the Pro Bowl in each of his first eight seasons and was a first-team All-Pro in 2018, 2019 and 2020.
Nelson, 30, is in the final year of a four-year, $80 million extension. Fourth-round rookie Jalen Farmer from Kentucky takes over at left guard.
“That's a real gold jacket guy right there. It ain't no replacing.”— Jalen Farmer, on Nelson
Image by Indianapolis Colts, resized.DeForest Buckner to San Francisco
The same day, DeForest Buckner went back to the 49ers, who drafted him seventh overall in 2016, for a 2027 fourth-round pick. The Colts had given up the No. 13 pick to get him in March 2020.
Buckner's sacks by season
“It's a lifetime bond. Brother, best friend, the dynamic duo.”— Defensive tackle Grover Stewart, on Buckner
“Dang, we really like don't have Q and Buck in the building anymore.”— Tight end Mo Alie-Cox
Image by Indianapolis Colts, resized.What came back
The Colts do not have a 2027 first-round pick. They sent it, along with their 2026 first and receiver Adonai Mitchell, to the Jets for cornerback Sauce Gardner in November 2025.
- None (traded to the Jets)
- Own pick
- Own pick, plus Seattle's from the Nelson trade
- Own pick, plus San Francisco's from the Buckner trade
- Own pick
- Own pick, plus Buffalo's
Image by Indianapolis Colts, resized.Jonathan Taylor is still here
Taylor has 587 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns on 140 carries through seven games. He has gone over 90 yards five times but has not reached 100 yet.
Taylor's rushing yards by season
Most total touchdowns in Colts history
“You think we're rebuilding? I would say we're going out there trying to win.”— Taylor
“Quenton, Buck, I mean, those guys are the gold standard of the NFL.”— Taylor
Image by Indianapolis Colts, resized.Before the deadline
The trade deadline is Tuesday, November 10, at 4 p.m. ET. Receiver Josh Downs has reportedly asked to be traded.
- At Jacksonville, 1 p.m. ET (20:00 Cairo)
- vs Dallas
- Trade deadline, 4 p.m. ET
- vs Miami
“Your best resume is your film and how you treat people in the building.”— Taylor
Two more games before the deadline will show whether the Colts keep selling.
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