When ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler listed the Washington Commanders as a potential landing spot for Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor, it raised more than a few eyebrows. And with good reason.
But calling this a pipe dream would be an understatement.
The Indianapolis Colts are open for business as they focus on the future. They have already traded offensive lineman Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks, and this was swiftly followed by defensive lineman DeForest Buckner going back to the San Francisco 49ers for a fourth-round pick.
Commanders cannot afford to throw draft picks at Jonathan Taylor to paper over the cracks
More moves could be on the way before the November 10 cut-off. Wide receiver Josh Downs has requested a trade, and nobody in that building should be happy with how things are unfolding.
It's all part of the business, but if the Colts want maximum value, Taylor is their prized possession.
Fowler thought the Commanders could be among those calling to see what it might cost to acquire Taylor. The Seahawks, Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, and Denver Broncos were others, but Indianapolis isn't going to just give him away.
And this sort of blockbuster deal does not fit Washington's new timeline.
The Commanders' rushing attack may have failed to meet expectations so far, but throwing draft picks at the problem for a high earner — whether he's one of the NFL's most prolific running backs or not — seems a little desperate.
General manager Adam Peters may be too proud to sell. Still, he has to keep his draft picks to continue building the right way next year.
Taylor is an exceptional player. He's already on 587 rushing yards and eight touchdowns this season, and it's hard to imagine how bad things would be for the Colts if they didn't have him to depend on. He's a lock for 1,000 rushing yards every year, but things will be more difficult now that Indianapolis has removed Nelson from the picture.
Jonathan Taylor is an exceptional player, but the Commanders don't have the luxury
If the Colts considered trading Taylor, there would be interest.
Just don't expect the Commanders to be among them.
Peters has been restrained on the trade front. He went all-in last year, and it didn't work out. He's also been saving money for upcoming extensions, and Taylor still has a substantial amount left on his deal after signing a lucrative contract during the offseason.
The benefits would be vast, of course.
Placing Taylor next to quarterback Jayden Daniels in the backfield would be almost impossible to stop. It would be a nightmare for opposing defenses to overcome, and if the Commanders had a better record right now, Peters would no doubt seriously consider the possibility.
That isn't the case.
The Commanders are 6–16–1 since their conference championship appearance in the first year with head coach Dan Quinn at the helm. That is nothing short of pathetic, and even though this regime hasn't given up yet, parting ways with the capital it'll cost to get Taylor, along with taking on his contract, is a risk they cannot afford.
The Colts would be wise to resist trading Taylor. They'd probably want a second-round pick and more in return, even in their precarious situation. That's a price contending teams would be willing to pay, believing they are one piece away from getting over the hump.
That doesn't describe Washington right now, which is being kind.
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