Green Bay Packers
· 2026-06-29
The Green Bay Packers tried to acquire running back Jonathan Taylor from the Indianapolis Colts in 2023, and a new opportunity could arise now.
The Packers' general manager, Brian Gutekunst, reached out to Chris Ballard, but the Colts asked for wide receiver Christian Watson as part of the deal.
The Packers don't have a great option at running back beyond Josh Jacobs, who is entering a key contract season with no guarantees left on his deal.
Jonathan Taylor is the second most productive running back of the 2020s, right after Derrick Henry, and had 1,963 scrimmage yards and 20 total touchdowns for the Colts last year.
Garrett Podell of CBS Sports predicts Taylor will ask for a trade by the 2026 NFL trade deadline due to his contract situation.
The Packers could realistically work on a mid-term extension for Taylor, and moving on from Jacobs' $13.5 million salary in 2027 would not have significant cap repercussions.
As of now, the Green Bay Packers stand 10th in the American Football Conference with a 7-10 record, on a L1 streak, and are set to play the Minnesota Vikings on September 13, 2026.
The Packers' offense, led by Matt LaFleur, is run-heavy, making a potential trade for Taylor more enticing.
Brian Gutekunst has shown he's willing to make aggressive moves if he thinks they can help the team in both the present and future.