Arguably the strongest position on the Green Bay Packers is at running back. They have the best running back duo in the NFL with Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon. While Dillon plays the 1B to Jones’ 1A in Green Bay, many evaluators believe that Dillon could handle a lead-back role should the need ever arise.
So, it is shocking to hear that the Packers were one of the teams that were interested in acquiring star running back Jonathan Taylor from the Indianapolis Colts. Taylor was given permission to seek a trade by the Colts last week and there was legitimate interest from the Packers’ side to get a deal done.
Ultimately, no deal was reached as the Colts didn’t receive an offer they felt was acceptable for Taylor. He has now been held on the PUP-List, which means he will be sidelined through at least Week 4 this season.
But, this is something to certainly keep an eye on moving forward. Just because the self-imposed deadline of August 29th has passed, it does not mean that trade talks centered around Taylor cannot continue.
He can still be traded and the Packers’ interest in him could remain high. Interest in the 2021 All-Pro remains despite him having to sit out the first four weeks of the season. A trade is still what Taylor would prefer to occur.
It is certainly shocking to see the Packers linked to him as they already have a highly-paid running back in Jones. Jones accepted a pay cut this offseason to remain in Green Bay as their salary cap situation was messy following the Aaron Rodgers trade.
Right now, the Packers have only three running backs on the roster; in addition to Jones and Dillon, undrafted free agent Emanuel Wilson made the cut after a dominant preseason. Adding another running back to the mix certainly wouldn’t be surprising, but it coming in the form of Taylor via trade would certainly be shocking.
Dillon is entering the final season of his rookie contract and will be a free agent in 2024. He would certainly be much cheaper to retain long-term than Taylor if they want to hand out a multi-year deal to a player in the backfield.
