Packers Shut Down Idea of Trading Christian Watson to Colts for Jonathan Taylor

Indianapolis clearly had wide receivers in mind when discussing trades for Jonathan Taylor.

Initial reports surrounding the Colts’ ventures into trading RB Jonathan Taylor said they asked the Dolphins for WR Jaylen Waddle. ESPN’s Adam Schefter added that the Colts asked the Packers for second-year WR Christian Watson as part of a package that would have sent the NFL’s leading rusher in 2021 to Green Bay. 

The Packers weren’t having it, obviously, as Taylor is still under contract with the Colts. He won’t play Sunday, or for the Colts’ three games following Week 1, because he is on the team’s PUP list, and must remain there through the first four weeks of the season. 

All Dolphins reporter Omar Kelly suggested there was a “mystery team” involved in the bidding, along with the Dolphins, and Schefter’s report would suggest that was the Packers. But like Miami, Green Bay wasn’t willing to part with a valuable asset like Watson (53 of his 66 catches came after Week 9 last season and is expected to be a big part of the Packers’ offense in 2023). 

Jonathan Taylor was the subject of trade bids from the Dolphins and Packers, per multiple reports :: Bill Ingram/USA Today Network