The Green Bay Packers reportedly shut down trade talks over a key wide receiver this summer. The Packers were involved in talks with the Indianapolis Colts during training camp over All-Pro running back Jonathan Taylor. Taylor, a former Wisconsin Badgers standout, would be a fan favorite in Green Bay.
Taylor would also help the Packers’ already potent backfield in a season where the team will need its running attack to keep them in games. Quarterback Jordan Love is taking over as the full-time starter after Aaron Rodgers long tenure in Green Bay. That transition would be hard enough without the Packers’ lack of experience at wide receiver and tight end.
The Packers’ issues with experienced depth in the passing game will be seen firsthand on Sunday. Second-year wide receiver Christian Watson has been ruled out with a hamstring injury, and Romeo Doubs is expected to see limited snaps against the Chicago Bears with a hamstring injury.
The Green Bay Packers were asked for Christian Watson

Watson is arguably the Packers’ best option at wide receiver this season. According to Adam Schefter with ESPN, Watson was the center of talks for the Colts in their early negotiations with the Packers. The Packers “quickly” shut that idea down:
“The Packers, however, never considered dealing Watson for Taylor or anyone else and quickly shut down any such talk, according to sources…
The Colts and Packers did discuss a deal for Taylor, but a trade did not get close. Green Bay is believed to have offered only draft-pick compensation, not enough to make Indianapolis consider dealing its All-Pro running back.”
The Colts are looking for wide receiver help after drafting Anthony Richardson with the fourth overall pick in the 2023 draft. The Packers weren’t going to help them with that, as they have a green quarterback of their own who needs targets.
General manager Brian Gutekunst said the Packers were willing to get involved in every conversation for a star player like Taylor. But the reported offer of draft-pick compensation indicates the Packers weren’t serious in trade talks with the Colts. The Colts wanted a first-round pick or equivalent offer for Taylor, and the Packers front office didn’t match.
I think it’s pretty intriguing that the front office was willing to allow a leak of the talks to the media while making a mediocre bid for Taylor. The news can’t make the running backs room, with AJ Dillon or Aaron Jones, (who took a pay cut this offseason to stay in Green Bay) feel great about their future status with a team amid a roster overhaul and youth movement.
Will the Green Bay Packers resume talks with the Indianapolis Colts?

According to Ian Rapoport with the NFL Network, Taylor, who starts the season on the PUP list, is expected to be able to pass a physical and be eligible to play in Week 5. Rapoport is reporting the Packers are no longer in talks for Taylor now that Week 1 is here:
“When Taylor requested and received permission to seek a trade in August, the Dolphins and Packers were the two main potential landing spots. Green Bay offered two mid-round picks for Taylor, but now that the regular season has started, those talks are over, sources say.”
The trade talks likely won’t begin again on the Packers side unless there is a serious injury in the backfield to start the season. It’ll be interesting to see if the Packers make a play at another position before the trade deadline.
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