Bengals could cut ties with 7-INT defender in proposed Colts trade

Throughout a crucial offseason, the Indianapolis Colts have been more aggressive than usual as general manager Chris Ballard fights for his job.

Coming off an 8-9 campaign in which the Colts missed the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season, Ballard made aggressive moves in free agency to upgrade the secondary. The Colts also brought in former Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo to replace Gus Bradley in the same role.

While the Colts have often been linked as trade suitors for disgruntled Bengals stars like Trey Hendrickson and Germaine Pratt, another name has entered the mix. Pro Football Network's Sterling Xie believes Indianapolis could be a landing spot for cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt.

"Taylor-Britt should start again in Cincinnati as he enters the last year of his rookie deal. But with new defensive coordinator Al Golden and a pair of recent high draft picks in Dax Hall and DJ Turner II, Taylor-Britt isn’t guaranteed anything for 2025. If he disappoints, it wouldn’t be shocking to see Cincinnati cut bait rather than letting him leave for nothing in free agency," Xie wrote. "Reuniting Taylor-Britt with former Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo in Indianapolis would make the most sense."

One of the biggest moves the Colts made this offseason was bringing in star cornerback Charvarius Ward from free agency on a three-year deal worth $54 million. He is expected to be the No. 1 cornerback on the depth chart while JuJu Brents and Jaylon Jones compete for the starting role on the opposite side.

Adding Taylor-Britt to the mix would certainly bring some depth to the room, and the 25-year-old has had success working under Anarumo for the entirety of his rookie contract.

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Over the last two seasons, Taylor-Britt's 89.5 passer rating allowed ranks 31st among NFL cornerbacks with at least 100 targets. Meanwhile, his seven interceptions are tied for the fourth-most and his 21 passes defensed ranks seventh-most, according to Stathead.

It's unclear what the Colts would have to give up for Taylor-Britt but if they find themselves needing more cornerback depth, it may not be a bad idea to check in with the Bengals about his availability.