The Indianapolis Colts kept Jonathan Taylor rather than trading him before Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline. Some fans may have expected the running back to return to his usual workload afterward, but the distribution of carries remained much the same in Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins: Taylor continued to share work with Seth McGowan.
The Colts opened the scoring with a short touchdown run, but McGowan—not Taylor—carried the ball into the end zone. That decision drew frustration from fantasy football analyst Matthew Berry, who noted that the Colts had kept Taylor but were not consistently using him near the goal line or throughout the offense.
## Why Is Seth McGowan Playing So Much?
McGowan has earned his opportunities with his performances. He has made an impact on special teams this season, and that contribution has helped him gain a larger role on offense. Although Indianapolis selected him in the seventh round out of Kentucky, he has quickly established himself as more than a late-round prospect.
ESPN’s Stephen Holder noted that questions about the workload split had increased in recent weeks, with some people assuming it was connected to the trade deadline. However, McGowan continued to receive a substantial number of snaps against Miami. He has made the most of his chances, giving the Colts reason to keep involving him.
## What the Colts’ Decision Means for Jonathan Taylor
Taylor was the subject of trade speculation for weeks, but Indianapolis did not move him. He is under contract through 2028, and the Colts could either consider a trade during the offseason or continue building around their star running back.
Taylor may also have a mentoring role with McGowan, who has emerged as a promising late-round addition. For now, the Colts’ decision to keep Taylor has not meant that he will receive every carry: McGowan’s continued involvement shows that the team is rewarding his contributions.
