- May 21, 2026
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SportsMafia Wire graphic. Photo: Carol M. Highsmith via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain. Team logos via ESPN.
The Indianapolis Colts sit at 2-5 after Sunday's loss to Minnesota, with general manager Chris Ballard already fired. They face Jacksonville and Dallas before the Nov. 10 trade deadline, and oddsmakers have them as underdogs in both games. That 2-7 projection makes them clear sellers, with All-Pro running back Jonathan Taylor the biggest prize available.
The Cincinnati Bengals should make the blockbuster offer, argues the report. Cincinnati sits at 4-2 after Joe Burrow's stunning second half against Baltimore — 16 of 18 for 249 yards and four touchdowns in a 35-0 run that erased a 13-0 deficit. But the rushing attack ranks near the bottom at 82.9 yards per game and 3.6 yards per carry. Chase Brown and Samaje Perine have not provided the ground threat a Super Bowl contender needs.
Taylor brings 11 explosive rushes and 2.89 yards after contact, outperforming Cincinnati's collective 2.46. The comparison offered: San Francisco's 2022 Christian McCaffrey acquisition, which transformed their offense.
Week 7 game balls went to Joe Burrow, Malik Willis, Blake Cashman, Dylan Sampson, Xavier Concepcion, and Jessie Bates.
Mickey's Angle: The Bengals are in a championship window and have a glaring hole Taylor fills perfectly — if Indy actually makes him available, Cincinnati should not hesitate to pay the price.
Source: CBS Sports (also reported by ProFootballTalk) - written by Mickey the Mouth from the original report.