The Washington Commanders' running back situation is a mess. General manager Adam Peters handled things poorly before and during the season, leaving David Blough's offense without a stable ground game to rely on.
However, the latest setback could be the excuse Peters needs to make a daring trade for Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor.
As everyone knows, the Colts are looking to sell almost anyone of value as they look to the future. Their heavy loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 8 suggests the team has already given up, and they are reportedly open to trading Taylor for the right price.
Commanders must weight the risk versus reward of potential Jonathan Taylor trade
That won't be cheap.
Even so, if the Commanders are serious about building a dynamic offense around quarterback Jayden Daniels, Peters might consider the possibility.
The Commanders still believe they can turn their season around. Beating the Philadelphia Eagles was just the first step, but they do have a more favorable schedule from here. And if there is legitimate conviction, Peters could decide to be aggressive.
Trading for Taylor would be at the top end of that optimism.
He's an elite backfield force with credentials that need no introduction. The Colts are willing to sell, but Taylor is also their most valuable asset and will be treated as such during negotiations.
Taylor's situation, and the potential compensation attached, could mirror Christian McCaffrey's bombshell trade to the San Francisco 49ers. The Carolina Panthers accepted a second, fourth, and fifth-round pick for the All-Pro performer. Fans were apoplectic that the NFC South club didn't get a first-rounder, but the picks were seen as an equivalent.
The Colts probably won't get a first-round selection for Taylor. But they will want a second and possibly more. That makes it more likely for a contending team than one in the Commanders' position, but the potential benefits would be exponential.
Commanders must decide if their season can be salvaged before Jonathan Taylor becomes realistic
Pairing Taylor with Daniels would instantly give Washington one of the league's most dynamic backfields. They would be almost impossible to fully contain, even with the offensive line going through some issues, but the asking price and the contract might be too off-putting when push comes to shove.
Indianapolis only extended Taylor this offseason. His deal has no more guaranteed money after 2026, with the final two years counting $21.02 million and $22.98 million against the salary cap.
That's a lot for a running back. At the same time, Taylor is not your average running back.
Trading for Taylor would be a major statement from the Commanders. It would prove they are still serious. It would also keep expectations high, even if the Commanders are only 2-4-1 right now.
It's a gamble, and a divisive issue among the fan base.
But it just might be crazy enough to work.
Running backs like Taylor don't grow on trees. Indianapolis is willing to cut bait for a more sustainable future, and that's part of the business.
Just where the Commanders fit into this potential scenario remains to be seen. But if Peters can strike the right deal, he might just pull the trigger and shake the NFL to its foundations.
Time will tell...
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