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As many know, intra-division trades are extremely rare, especially those involving high-profile talent.
However, several have occurred in NFL history, including Donovan McNabb’s trade from the Philadelphia Eagles to the Washington Commanders in 2010 (NFC East) and Drew Bledsoe’s trade from the New England Patriots to the Buffalo Bills in 2002 (AFC East).
Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay floated the fascinating idea of the Tennessee Titans and Indianapolis Colts pulling off an intra-division trade of their own this summer.
Specifically, Kay crafted a trade proposal that would see Tennessee fleece their AFC South rival by landing their award-winning running back while surrendering only one second-round pick and zero first-round picks (2027 second- and third-round picks and a 2028 third-round pick).
“The Indianapolis Colts employ one of the NFL's top talents in Jonathan Taylor, but the superstar running back could provide more value to the organization as a trade chip than on the field at this juncture of his career,” Kay wrote Wednesday.
“With Taylor set to be a free agent next offseason, the Colts could get ahead of a potential departure by dealing him for draft capital. There are plenty of hopeful contenders with a hole in the backfield that would love to add a star like Taylor into the mix, a list of suitors that could be headlined by the Tennessee Titans.”
“Tennessee is hoping to emerge from a lengthy rebuilding period in Year 2 of the Cam Ward era. With new regime at the reins, acquiring a piece like Taylor could push this offense over the top and into the playoffs. Tennessee innately understands just how good Taylor is, having given up more rushing touchdowns (nine) to him than any other team.”
Taylor is one of the premier RBs in the NFL, and his track record proves that. 7.598 yards, 69 touchdowns, three Pro Bowl nods, one first-team All-Pro selection, two NFL rushing titles, and a 2021 Bert Bell award victory aren’t achievements to scoff at.
Once the former second-round pick identifies open holes and reaches the second level of defenses, it’s challenging for defenders to match his top-end speed and prevent him from getting deep into their territory. Why would the Colts ever consider trading their prized running back to a franchise they match up with twice a year in the AFC South?
The short answer is they wouldn’t, making Kay’s trade idea merely a fun exercise rather than a reasonable offseason concept.
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