Report: Colts, Dolphins trade talks were never close

The Dolphins have at least checked into trading for a couple of running backs, including Colts star Jonathan Taylor. But reports suggest the asking price was just too expensive.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network said that Indianapolis wanted at least a late first-round pick in exchange for the disgruntled Taylor, who asked for a trade. Colts management gave him permission to seek one on his own, but the deadline was Tuesday, the same day final rosters were due.

“There was interest real and significant interest (from) the Miami Dolphins and others,” Rapoport said of a potential Jonathan Taylor trade. “My understanding is the Colts had at least two solid offers. General manager, Chris Ballard, who really held … wanted at least a late first round pick. … I was told that a trade would happen. In fact, there were plenty of times over the last couple of days that I thought the trade was moving toward completion.

“In the end, Ballard simply decided that it was not enough not to trade a star running back in his prime and (Miami) decided not to pay. So Jonathan Taylor goes on the PUP list. He is off the field. He starts the first four weeks of the season (there) while recuperating from (his) ankle injury. And stay tuned for the next saga, which will probably start about a month from now.”

Cameron Wolfe, another NFL Network reporter, said that the Dolphins-Jonathan Taylor trade “never got close despite rumblings.”

He also said that the Dolphins were satisfied with their running backs, Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson and rookie De’Von Achane.

Dolphins-Jonathan Taylor never got close despite rumblings. If Miami was to make a deal, it would be at their value. Colts had high asking price.

Miami’s happy with its RBs. Raheem Mostert had over 1K yards in 2022; leads RB room w/ vet Jeff Wilson & speedy rookie De’Von Achane.

— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) August 29, 2023

Besides Jonathan Taylor, Dolphins also looked at Dalvin Cook

This also reportedly was the response when the Dolphins thought about signing former Vikings running back Dalvin Cook. He was the Miami native who starred for Florida State. And he’d reeled off four straight seasons of at least 1,000 yards. There was all sorts of buzz earlier this summer connecting Cook to the Dolphins. But it never really got beyond the rumor stage. Cook ended up signing with the Jets earlier this month. He practiced with them for the first time this week.

Meanwhile, ESPN reported that the Packers were the second team that had strong interest in Jonathan Taylor. However, it’s unclear what Green Bay offered in return. The Packers kept three running backs on their roster — Aaron Jones, AJ Dillon and rookie Emanuel Wilson.

Green Bay was in the market for a running back in 2020, when Jonathan Taylor was eligible for the draft. The Packers knew him well since he starred at Wisconsin. But Green Bay used its first round pick on Jordan Love. Then in the second round, the Packers selected Dillion. By then, the Colts already had secured Taylor with the 41st pick.

The Packers already are paying Jones a big check. At $11 million a year, he’s the fifth-highest paid non-rookie back in the league.

Taylor has lingering ankle issues. But it was reported that he also was deliberately missing time with the team because he wanted a new contract. He even met with owner Jim Irsay, who denied his request for a new deal. Taylor enjoyed terrific seasons his first two years. He led the NFL in rushing in 2021 and was the runnerup for AP offensive player of the year. But an ankle injury curtailed his production in 2022, so he didn’t have that strong of a bargaining stance this summer.