Home » Sports » NFL » Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals may have a green light to trade for Colts 3-time Pro Bowler after Chris Ballard’s firing, but an obstacle needs to be addressed

Chase Brown’s early-season struggles have Cincinnati fans circling Jonathan Taylor in the wake of the Colts’ front-office shake-up. The price tag in picks is the easy part of this idea, but the money needs to be recognized.

Yardbarker

Published: Monday, 19 October 2026 at 6:28 PM

Key Things to Know

A to Z Sports analyzes whether the Bengals could trade for Colts running back Jonathan Taylor.
For any potential transfer, hypothetical proposals include trade packages involving draft picks, Chase Brown, or Shemar Stewart.
The writer notes Taylor's two-year, $44 million contract creates a significant financial obstacle for Cincinnati.

The Story in 60 Seconds

Following the Indianapolis Colts' dismissal of general manager Chris Ballard, A to Z Sports examines whether the Cincinnati Bengals should explore a trade for three-time Pro Bowl running back Jonathan Taylor. With Cincinnati's ground game struggling under starter Chase Brown, the writer suggests Taylor would offer an immediate offensive boost for an aggressive Super Bowl contender.

However, the analysis highlights that Taylor's contract poses a major obstacle. Having signed a two-year, $44 million extension, Taylor's salary could prove difficult for Cincinnati to accommodate alongside existing commitments to Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins.

Read the full article on Yardbarker