McGowan's Rise Puts Colts' Taylor Call in Focus
Rookie Seth McGowan's workload hit a season high in Week 7, and with Jonathan Taylor in trade talk, the Colts' backfield is the question before November 10.
Why it matters
- The Colts did not draft Seth McGowan to be a headline.
- Archive data: peak #4, 200+, Seen once so far — duration not yet measurable, 1 run.
- What to watch: the Colts' Week 8 and Week 9 usage — whether McGowan's double-digit carries repeat without a trade — and then November…
Why it is trending
The Colts did not draft Seth McGowan to be a headline. A seventh-round pick out of Kentucky, he began the season as a kick returner, a specialist's job with a specialist's workload. By Week 7, the job had quietly changed. Against Minnesota on October 25, McGowan carried 11 times for 46 yards, caught one pass for two yards and played a season-high 31 percent of the offensive snaps — double-digit carries for the first time in his NFL career, in a 16-10 loss. Why it is trending now: the timing, not just the touches. The performance arrived in the same week that Jonathan Taylor's name moved into active trade talk, with the Packers, Seahawks, Broncos and Vikings among the teams reported to be considering the three-time Pro Bowl running back, and with the NFL trade deadline set for November 10. A rookie's rising snap count next to a star's uncertain future is exactly the combination that sends fantasy managers — and Colts watchers — to the waiver wire and the search bar at the same time. The rise has been gradual, which is what makes it credible rather than a one-week blip. McGowan had six carries for 31 yards and a catch in the London win over Washington in Week 4, four carries for 27 yards against Tennessee in Week 6, and then the Week 7 jump. Through seven games he has 32 carries for 134 yards, four catches for 12 yards and 566 kickoff-return yards. Taylor still leads the room — 18 carries for 95 yards and a touchdown against Minnesota — but the Colts have spent the season managing his workload, and McGowan has been the beneficiary of every managed snap. Our trend data: On USTRENDING's own archive, this topic first appeared in the 2026-10-31T08:30:03-04:00 snapshot, peaking at #4 with a 200+ search band. It has been seen in 1 snapshot so far, in a single run, so its duration is not yet measurable — the history is still building, and this story is the site's first editorial coverage of it.
What happened
- October 4, 2026: McGowan takes six carries for 31 yards plus a catch in the Colts' 30-13 win over Washington in London, his first real offensive role.
- October 18, 2026: Four carries for 27 yards against Tennessee, a career-best 6.8 yards per carry, in a 26-20 loss.
- October 25, 2026: Reports surface that the Colts are shopping Jonathan Taylor in active trade talks; that Sunday, McGowan sets season highs with 11 carries, 46 yards and 31 percent of snaps against Minnesota.
- October 27-29, 2026: Waiver-wire coverage names McGowan a must-add stash, rostered in only about 7 percent of leagues, with his value tied to the Taylor decision.
- November 10, 2026: NFL trade deadline: the date by which the Colts must decide whether Taylor stays or McGowan's opportunity grows.
How sources covered it
| Source | Headline as published | Angle |
|---|---|---|
| RotoWire | Seth McGowan rushes 11 times in loss | The statistical record for Week 7: 11 carries, 46 yards, one catch, 140 kick-return yards, and the season-high snap share. |
| Sports Illustrated | Fantasy Football Early Week 8 Waiver Wire Targets | Frames the fantasy case: McGowan is a buy-low stash precisely because a Taylor trade would make him the starter and a top-25 fantasy back. |
| Heavy | Colts' Backup RB Seth McGowan is a Must-Add Fantasy Football Pickup | Goes further, calling him a must-add, while stressing the Colts have not committed to trading Taylor — the opportunity is conditional, not promised. |
| Heavy | Why Seth McGowan Is Running Almost As Much As Jonathan Taylor For Colts | Workload comparison with Jonathan Taylor. |
| FantasyPros | Seth McGowan sees 11 carries Sunday | Week 7 carry count. |
What sources agree on
- every source agrees on the Week 7 numbers and on Taylor still leading the backfield.
Where coverage differs
- the fantasy outlets differ in confidence — SI presents the trade as increasingly likely, Heavy as possible but uncommitted — and neither claims inside knowledge of a deal.
Not yet confirmed
- no trade has been agreed or reported as close, and the Colts have not said Taylor will be moved; this story treats the trade as speculation, not as an event.
The trend data
Duration: Seen once so far — duration not yet measurable. Peak rank: #4. Peak band: 200+. Runs: 1.
What to watch next
the Colts' Week 8 and Week 9 usage — whether McGowan's double-digit carries repeat without a trade — and then November 10 itself. If Taylor stays, McGowan remains a change-of-pace back with return value; if Taylor goes, the rookie who started the year returning kicks becomes the most interesting backfield in Indianapolis overnight.
Sources
Sources are linked above. The timeline, comparison and trend data are USTRENDING's own work.
How this story was made: Editorial Policy and Methodology.
