Bills 'Need' Trade for Jonathan Taylor to Reach Super Bowl, Says Insider

Should the Buffalo Bills make a blockbuster trade for Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor, long-time ESPN reporter Sal Paolantonio thinks that it will put them over the top.

The trade saga of Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor continues to take a turn, and the Buffalo Bills could be in the mix.

Per reports from ESPN, the Colts have already been fielding trade offers from two different teams for Taylor, with six total "inquiring" about his availability. The Colts recently gave Taylor permission to seek a trade after the All-Pro running back requested to be dealt in July. He just returned to the team this week after being away for personal reasons, but remains injured on the physically unable to perform list (PUP).

Should the Bills make a blockbuster move for Taylor, long-time ESPN reporter Sal Paolantonio thinks that it will put them over the top.

“If the Buffalo Bills get Jonathan Taylor, they go to the Super Bowl,” Paolantonio said on ESPN's Get Up.

We've looked at different pros and cons of the Bills trading for Taylor here at Bills Central on SI.com, and Paolantonio brings up some similar points.

“It’s an arms race in the AFC East, and Buffalo needs a complement to Josh Allen, a really reliable complement,” Paolantonio said “They need volume and production out of their running back position and that changes the dynamic of how Josh Allen can play and what he can do."

If the Bills are one of the six teams - which might seem like a reach considering the Colts want a first-round pick package in return and the current value for running backs - then they're against the clock. The Colts are giving Taylor until Tuesday to find a suitable trade spot, which is also the day teams need to cut their roster down to 53. If Taylor isn't traded by then and remains on the PUP list, he'll be placed on reserve-PUP and will have to sit out the first four weeks of the season.

Adding Taylor to the backfield alongside second-year running back James Cook with Allen running the show would be a site to see. Taylor is a little over one year removed from leading the league in rushing in 2021, which was highlighted by a game for the ages against the Bills where he posted 204 total yards on 35 touches and five touchdowns in a dominant 41-15 win over Buffalo at Highmark Stadium.

Bills Mafia is likely still scarred from that game, but adding Taylor to the mix would help heal some of the trauma. Still, it remains to be seen how heavily the Bills are involved with Taylor, if at all.

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You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7

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