The Indianapolis Colts may be softening their stance on Jonathan Taylor.

Taylor, who is on the PUP list while recovering from an ankle injury he suffered late last season, is currently embroiled in a contract dispute with the Colts. Indianapolis failed to provide him with a new contract going into 2023, and in turn, Taylor asked to be dealt.

The Colts were fine giving the running back permission to seek a trade, but in the early stages of discussions with other teams, Indy was holding firm on its asking price: a first-round draft pick, or at least compensation that would be equal to a first-rounder in value.

However, with Taylor getting closer to becoming eligible to play (he can return in Week 5) and with the Oct. 31 NFL trade deadline looming, the Colts may be more amenable to a lesser return.

According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, Indianapolis is now willing to “settle for something a bit less” than a first-round pick in exchange for Taylor, which could ultimately cause teams like the Miami Dolphins and Green Bay Packers to re-engage the Colts in trade talks.

Fowler adds that the reason Taylor was not traded in August when he made his initial demand was because Indianapolis was firmly rooted in its wants.

You can certainly understand why the Colts would be so staunch in their convictions.

After all, Taylor is just 24 years old, and Indy was surely hoping he could grow with rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson and potentially form a dynamic tandem over the next several years.

Jonathan Taylor is one of the best halfbacks in the game when healthy, as evidenced by the fact that he racked up a league-best 1,811 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2021. That performance earned him a trip to the Pro Bowl and a First-Team All-Pro selection.

Indianapolis has gotten off to a 1-1 start and will take on the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.