The situation between the Indianapolis Colts and their star running back, Jonathan Taylor, took another turn this week. The Colts have given permission to Jonathan Taylor to seek a trade, one month after he requested one from the team and it was shut down.
The last few weeks have been tumultuous as Jonathan Taylor showed up to training camp but was placed on the PUP List. The Colts then claimed he also had a back injury, which the star running back refuted. Eventually, he left the team to rehab his ankle injury off-site.
Upon his return last week, he left camp again, but this time around, it was an excused absence. His days at practice during training camp could be the last time that he wears a Colts jersey, as trade talks are ongoing with multiple teams.
Where could the Colts star end up? In the opinion of NFL Network’s Nick Shook, there are four teams that stick out as potential landing spots. The first, which should come as no surprise, is the Miami Dolphins.
Miami was connected to Dalvin Cook all offseason before he opted to sign a deal with the New York Jets. With an aerial attack that can keep up with anyone in the NFL, the Dolphins could use a leader in the backfield to help balance things out.
Another AFC team that Shook suggested is the Las Vegas Raiders. Swapping disgruntled running backs Jonathan Taylor and Josh Jacobs in exchange for each other is something that could benefit everyone.
Over in the NFC, the Chicago Bears were named a potential landing spot. Putting the 2021 NFL rushing triple-crown winner in the backfield with Justin Fields is something that would give opposing defensive coordinators nightmares.
The Bears had the No. 1 rushing offense in the NFL last season with David Montgomery as their lead back. Jonathan Taylor would be an upgrade and with the improvements that have been made to the offensive line, Chicago would steamroll defensive fronts.
Last but not least, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers could get involved in the Jonathan Taylor sweepstakes. Of the four teams mentioned, this is likely where he would want to end up the least.
A shaky offensive line is never good for a running back and the Buccaneers are trying to figure life out post-Tom Brady. But, in a wide-open NFC South, acquiring a player of Jonathan Taylor’s caliber could help Tampa Bay separate from the pack.
