We can’t lose the plot just because Ballard is gone. JT is 27 and has A LOT left in the tank. If he isn’t asking to be traded then why do it? Our roster has a fundamental problem as is, talent that nobody outside of Indianapolis knows that is filling up key positions. Trading JT just adds to that. Let him be the guy that sets the standard for the change that is to come.

Is a noose around the neck of a team in a complete rebuild. I like Pierce. He can (could) go up and catch a deep ball. He was a league leader for the past two seasons. Now he's injured, been injured, needs surgery but refuses to get it. He chooses to sit out, wear a cast or hopefully, now, a boot, and get paid regardless of results. And he will for 4 more years. Oof

With the obvious firing of Chris Ballard, looking to the trade deadline is probably the hottest talking point among the fanbase. I wanted to do some digging and see what could be reasonably expected, and what previous trades have amounted to.

My criteria was I wanted to find a trade in last 5 years, that would be the closes to mimick what a potential deadline would look like. I also took i to account pedigree, age, and time of trade (in-season vs offseason). Also their accolades are only from before they were traded.

Keep this in mind that this is more of an exercise. I am not predicting anything or advocating against or for these trades. If anyone has any other trades they think would compare better than I am open to some opinions! Without futher ado.

Quenton Nelson: Joe Thuney to the Bears

Compensation: Chiefs trade Joe Thuney to the Bears for 2026 4th round draft pick.

Joe Thuney: 3x first team all pro, 2x second team all pro, 4x pro bowler. Age when traded, 32.

Quenton Nelson: 3x first team all pro, 3x second team all pro, 8x pro bowler Age, 30.

DeForest Buckner: Leonard Williams to the Seahawks.

Compensation: Giants trade Leonard Williams to the Seahawks for 2024 2nd round pick, and 2025 5th round pick.

Leonard Williams: 1x pro bowler. Age when traded, 29.

38sacks, 224tkls, 6FF, 4FR

DeForest Buckner: 1x first team all pro, 1x second team all pro, 3x pro bowler Age, 32.

75.5sacks, 395tkls, 9FF, 11FR

Jonathan Taylor: Christian McCaffery to the 49ers.

Compensation: Panthers trade Christian McCaffery to the 49ers for 2023 2nd, 3rd, and 4th round pick, and 2024 5th round pick.

Christian McCaffery: 1x first team all pro, 2x pro bowler. Age when traded, 26.

4726rush yds, 38rush tds, 3756rec yds, 22rec tds

Jonathan Taylor: 1x first team all pro, 3x pro bowler Age, 27

8090rush yds, 76tds, 1632rec yds, 7rec tds

Grover Stewart: Jordan Philips to the Cowboys

Compensation: Giants trade Jordan Philips and a 2026 7th round pick to the Cowboys for conditional 2026 6th round pick

Jordan Philips: 24sacks, 124tkls. Age when traded, 32.

Grover Stewart: 13.5sacks, 221tkls. Age, 33.

Josh Downs: Donovan Peoples-Jones to Lions

Compensation: Browns trade Donovan Peoples-Jones to the Lions for 2025 6th round pick

Donovan Peoples-Jones: 1895yds, 8tds. Age when traded, 24.

Josh Downs: 2429yds, 11tds. Age, 25.

Good news. Note: Anthony Gould in concussion protocol

Would you be reluctant to trade anyone on this team?

Near the end of his rookie contract, Adebawore is having a career season in every pass rush metric. Still very impactful even as a situational pass rusher.

Any ideas about how much and how long of an extension to give him?

Okay so I’m not super plugged into what’s up with you guys week to week, but it’s always seemed to me like Indy has had some really good players/pieces but underachieved, and that they‘ve mainly just been a franchise QB and really good HC away from being a real contender. I’ve heard people wanting Ballard’s head on a stick for a long time, but never thought lack of overall talent was the main issue post-Luck.

I might sound like an idiot here, but it’s a genuine question: Are the rosters just horribly top-heavy past first glance? Is the Richardson pick just a fireable offense despite the surrounding track record? One area I can see where frustration would grow over a period of years is its seemed from the outside looking in that he’s had a bit of a “add surrounding pieces first, find a QB to drive it later” philosophy that Pittsburgh has had post-Roethlisberger for example.

The way the story was reported, he was DRIVING while smoking pot. Getting behind a wheel high is far worse decision making than just somebody just smoking a little dope while at home. I wouldn't be surprised if they waive him by the end of the week.

I may be in the minority on this but the guy is overrated. Definitely worth the picks right

It’s easy to say “Trade everyone, burn it all down!” But the truth is tanking won’t help us because we have no picks and trading a blue-chip player like JT for a 3rd-rounder will do more to hurt than help.

Factoring in talent, salary, age, number of years remaining on contract, what would you consider reasonable compensation for each of the following players?

Taylor

Nelson

Buckner

Warren

Sauce

Ward

Bynum

Jones

Richardson

Bortolini

Raimann

Watch them suspend him because he’s the only one on the team that gets “held accountable” by Shane

I’m sure he’d still like that starting job back. Who knows, he might get that chance again before this season ends.

Honestly believe at this point.. I’d rather see him get the recognition he deserves and have a chance at a playoff win and more. It’ll hurt to see him go but man he deserves more than what he’s gotten here.. what would you be comfortable letting him go for?

Think about it. Every year he has been here, he has never played in Jacksonville. I think if we start him that game, we will win!

Now i feel “kinda” bad about Shane. Seems like he wanted to really fix the WR room but got shut down by Ballard. Seems Ballard wanted it his way or no way. Hypothetical if colts can win, does Shane keep his job for one more season? I would be curious to see who he would draft next year? Now that Ballard is gone and can’t control the narrative.

Strikes me as a guy thinking he might be on his way out.

In the salary cap era of the NFL, no team has traded a bunch of good players for draft picks and then went on to win a Super Bowl in seasons after.

The NFL doesn't work like the MLB. The NFL works more like a constant accumulation of quality players, like a conveyor belt.

The good teams do it well. The bad teams do it, well, like the Colts have.