Giants Should Get Jonathan Taylor 'in a Heartbeat,' Martindale Says

Vincent Rapisardi

Oct 21

5 min read

Updated: 13 hours ago

Published Oct 21, 2026, 10:29 AM ET | By Vincent Rapisardi

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSUB_YwNvpA

Key points

Former Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale said New York should trade for Colts running back Jonathan Taylor "in a heartbeat."
Taylor has 492 rushing yards and seven touchdowns this season after a 1,585-yard, 18-touchdown 2025.
The Colts are 2-4 after firing general manager Chris Ballard, and the NFL trade deadline is Nov. 10.

Update (Oct. 22, 2026): PFF's Mark Chichester named a Giants trade for Jonathan Taylor one of his 10 fairytale trades ahead of the 2026 NFL trade deadline, as Big Blue Film Room shared on X.

PFF noted that "the Colts’ bell cow has produced a 75.0-plus PFF rushing grade in two of the last four seasons." His 67.3 rushing grade this season ranks 16th of 27 qualified backs, while Giants running backs rank 30th in PFF rushing grade.

Like Martindale's comments, it is a hypothetical, not a report of talks. PFF wrote that the Colts "probably won’t be inclined to trade Taylor," but that "a player of Taylor’s ilk may give them an advantage in a lowly but tight NFC East."

Update (Oct. 22, 2026, 3:30 PM ET): SNY's Connor Hughes wrote in his Thursday Giants mailbag that "the Giants will likely try to add to the running back room before the trade deadline," as Big Blue Film Room noted on X. He added, "It's just a matter of if they can do anything."

Hughes called Cam Skattebo "a nice complement to a bell cow" but "not a No. 1 back," and he believes landing Taylor could cost at least a Day 2 pick, per Yardbarker. That is still an expectation, not a report of talks with Indianapolis.

Former Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale wants New York to pursue Colts running back Jonathan Taylor, and he would not hesitate. His pitch arrives as Indianapolis faces questions about selling and the Giants search for a lead back.

Asked on the Talkin' Ball podcast whether the Giants should trade for Taylor, Martindale said, "If you can get Jonathan Taylor, you do it in a heartbeat."

He added, "You have a chance to win the NFC East," in comments shared by Big Blue Film Room on X.

Martindale ran the Giants' defense in 2022 and 2023, after four seasons as John Harbaugh's defensive coordinator in Baltimore. He knows the head coach who would have to make this call.

The Giants' backfield has been in flux all season. They released Najee Harris on Tuesday, leaving Cam Skattebo, Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Devin Singletary. We covered that move in Giants Release Najee Harris After 99 Rushing Yards in Five Games.

Why Jonathan Taylor Fits the Giants' Run Game Problem

Harbaugh has been blunt about the ground game. Giants running backs ran 14 times for 34 yards in the 34-27 loss to the Saints. The coach said, "We're not blocking well enough. We're not running well enough."

He also said no back has earned a lead role. We detailed that in Harbaugh on Giants RB Rotation: 'Our Run Game Hasn't Earned That Yet'.

John Harbaugh on potential frustrations from Najee Harris or Cam Skattebo on being a lead back: "Our run game hasn't earned that yet. ... Make the most of those opportunities and you are sure to get more opportunities. Do something." — Big Blue Film Room (@BigBlueFilmRoom) on X, October 20, 2026

Harbaugh said he would love to be in "a Derrick Henry circumstance or a Saquon Barkley circumstance." Taylor is that kind of every-down back. He carried 323 times for 1,585 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2025, according to ESPN.

By the Numbers: Jonathan Taylor's Last Three Seasons

Season	Carries / Yards (avg.)	Rushing TDs
2024	303 / 1,431 (4.7)	11
2025	323 / 1,585 (4.9)	18
2026 (6 games)	122 / 492 (4.0)	7

Source: ESPN's Jonathan Taylor career stats.

What a Jonathan Taylor Trade Would Cost the Giants

Taylor would not come cheap. He signed a two-year, $44 million extension with $39 million guaranteed on Aug. 6, per Pro Football Talk, as Athlon Sports detailed. Its $22 million average ranked second among running backs when he signed.

Indianapolis fell to 2-4 with a 26-20 loss to the Titans and fired Ballard on Monday. SI's Albert Breer listed Taylor among the Colts' speculative trade candidates if they sell, according to Pro Football Rumors.

The caveat is the 2026 production. Taylor is averaging 4.0 yards per carry, down from 4.9 last season, and he turns 28 in January. PFF gave him a 58.9 rushing grade in the Titans loss, per Athlon Sports.

The Giants' Trade Deadline Clock Starts Now

Martindale's comments are an opinion from a former coach, not a report of talks. No outlet has reported that the Giants have asked about Taylor, and the Colts have not said they will sell.

The Giants still have time to judge their own backs first. Skattebo is expected to be "more in the mix" against Houston, as we covered in Cam Skattebo Expected to Get Bigger Giants Role vs Texans.

Martindale's NFC East argument rests on a 3-2-1 start. The Giants visit the Texans at 1 p.m. ET Sunday in their final game before the bye.

Our Take: The Giants Should Make the Call on Jonathan Taylor

I agree with Wink. I think this is the most winnable NFC East since 2020, and with the Giants in first place, they should very seriously look at a trade for a player like Jonathan Taylor.

The fit is obvious. Jonathan Taylor has 492 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, and the Giants' four backs combined for 34 yards against the Saints.

I remember 2022, when a playoff-bound Giants team chose to keep its picks instead of adding a receiver. The next three years didn't go well.

To be clear, I don't know that a deal happens. My honest expectation is that Harbaugh, who has said he wants a lead back, will at least try before Nov. 10.

The Giants don't need to empty the cupboard for one season. But they also shouldn't treat first place as something that will come around again soon.

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