The Indianapolis Colts did a total 180-degree turn in recent days when it came to the Jonathan Taylor saga. Earlier in the offseason, the star running back requested a trade from the team, which was essentially denied. They had no interest in moving him and still had big plans for him during the 2023 season.
Alas, the relationship between the two sides evidently eroded to a point beyond repair. So, the Colts gave him permission to seek a trade but set a deadline of Tuesday, August 29th. That was cut-down day in the NFL, so it made sense that Indianapolis wanted to make a move by then, as Taylor was on the physically unable-to-perform list and a decision would need to be made whether or not to keep him there.
Alas, no trade was ultimately made and Taylor will now be sidelined for at least the first four weeks of the season. It is fair to wonder, however, just how serious the Colts were about making a deal.
Originally it was reported that Indianapolis was seeking a top-of-the-market price on Taylor, asking for a first-round pick. That is comical because they didn’t believe Taylor was worth a top-of-the-market contract but sought that kind of return in a trade.
One team that the Colts talked to about Taylor was the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins were seeking a backfield upgrade after missing out on Dalvin Cook, who signed with the New York Jets. However, the asking price was more absurd than a first-round pick.
Stephen Holder, an NFL reporter for ESPN, made an appearance on Indianapolis radio show JMV. He revealed that the asking price the Colts had set with the Dolphins was actually higher than a first-round pick, as they were seeking a star in return.
“I’ll tell you what, they wanted themselves some Jaylen Waddle from Miami. And Miami just laughed at them. I’ll give you that,” Holder said.
That is all the proof that you need to realize these weren’t negotiations that the Colts were taking seriously. Waddle, who has emerged as a star wide receiver alongside Tyreek Hill, is someone that the Dolphins aren’t interested in trading, especially for a running back seeking a new contract.
If that is how things went during negotiations with the Dolphins, it is fair to assume any other talks that the Colts had were just as outlandish. No one was meeting the first-round asking price they set, but if they were going to ask for an established star in return as well, no one would do business with them.
