Jonathan Taylor currently has the NFL world’s attention, but will the Indianapolis Colts star running back find his ideal trade partner?
In the offseason of the running back, Taylor stepped into the spotlight early in training camp with a contract dispute that led to some awkward communication with Colts owner Jim Irsay, most notably a X (formerly known as Twitter) back-and-forth between Irsay and Taylor’s agent that highlighted or low-lighted the role of the running back.
That made an already uncomfortable situation even more uglier leading to the Colts allowing Taylor to seek out a trade, preferably by Aug. 29 when players on the active/physically unable to perform list must be activated or placed on reserve-PUP. The latter would make Taylor unavailable for at least the first four weeks of the regular season.
NFL rumors: The clock is ticking on a Jonathan Taylor trade
Although that wouldn’t be the worst-case scenario for the star running back, the clock is ticking on a trade and there are teams picking up that phone. However, the Colts reportedly seeking out a first-round pick could drive some of those suitors away. But, for teams right there on the brink of Super Bowl contention, a package of picks could land the 2021 NFL rushing leader.
When looking around the NFL at teams who would instantly benefit from a Jonathan Taylor trade, there is one obvious team that comes to mind and two others who would be intriguing trade destinations for the disgruntled star.
A change of scenery, a chance to win, an opportunity to prove his value, here are the three most alluring fits for the Colts running back.
Jonathan Taylor to the Buffalo Bills
Up until a few seasons ago, any star seeking Buffalo as a destination was basically unheard of, but with the rise in stardom of Bills quarterback Josh Allen and the team knocking on the door as of late, Buffalo has become an alluring place to be.
In an offense that features the Allen to Stephon Diggs connection and a duo of young tight ends in Dawson Knox and Dalton Kincaid, the one thing missing is a stud running back.
No shade to second year running back James Cook and former New England Patriots running back Damien Harris, but what Jonathan Taylor would bring to the Bills’ offense would make them pretty much unstoppable, especially with what Allen can do with his legs from the quarterback position.
With the Diggs trade a few seasons ago, the Bills aren’t afraid to pull the trigger on a potential trade, but the question with Buffalo is do they have the assets to outbid another team? If would take a lower-round pick and a player to land Taylor, Buffalo is a team in prime position because of the young talent they have.
Could they offer a second or a third along with Cook or another young offensive weapon like Gabe Davis to land the Colts star?
If the Bills feel they can get over the hump with a stud running back like Taylor, they may be willing to offer a little more, especially if it keeps him away from an AFC East rival.
Jonathan Taylor to the Kansas City Chiefs
If Jonathan Taylor is looking to join a Super Bowl contender, yes, the Buffalo Bills would be alluring, but if he wants to make a significant statement, how about a trade to the reigning Super Bowl champions?
This would make fans of other teams around the NFL, particularly the AFC West roll their eyes, but the rich getting richer and Taylor in the backfield behind Patrick Mahomes is a scary possibility.
While Andy Reid and the Kansas City Chiefs wouldn’t be a team that rises to the top of the list as far as pursuit, they are a team that will kick the tires even with the emergence of Isiah Pacheco who rushed for 830 yards in 2022 and played a role in helping the team win another Super Bowl.
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Again, there is not a huge need for the Chiefs at the running back position, but adding Taylor would give Kansas City and Mahomes a stronger path towards repeating or at the very least getting back to the big game.
But this is really about what the trade or potential trade would mean for Taylor. An opportunity to help a team win a title, in this situation, helping a team like the Chiefs solidify a dynasty would be the biggest slap in the face to Irsay who didn’t hold back in under selling the value of Taylor and the running back position.
We all know what a healthy Taylor can do, image returning to that type of production in in GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Jonathan Taylor to the Miami Dolphins
Then, there’s always South Beach.
As expected, and anticipated, the Miami Dolphins are in on Jonathan Taylor. This is the most alluring trade destination because like their AFC East rival Buffalo Bills, the Dolphins are a star running back away from something special.
With Tua Tagovailoa and a duo of star receivers in Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, the Dolphins offense was explosive in 2022 until Tua went down with a concussion. Adding a weapon on the ground like Taylor would not only take some of the pressure off the Dolphins fourth-year quarterback, but also make the air attack that much more dangerous and Mike McDaniels’ team knows it.
According to the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson, the Dolphins have already made an initial offer for Taylor that the Colts did reject. Don’t count on that being the end of the Dolphins pursuit of the All-Pro running back, especially if Taylor wants to take his talents to South Beach.
Entering the season of the fourth year of his rookie deal, Miami is a team willing to give Taylor the money if the trade package involves too much for just a one-year rental. Taylor will hit free agency next spring, so any team trading for his services will attempt to sign him to the extension that led to all this drama in the first place.
But in all, the talent already in place down in Miami along with what Taylor brings to the table does make the Dolphins the more alluring team and a team that would have something to say in the AFC.