'Mystery Team' Revealed among 'Wild' Jonathan Taylor Trade Talks

The Indianapolis Colts were in discussions with several teams about trading Jonathan Taylor, including a "mystery team".

The Indianapolis Colts granted Jonathan Taylor's representatives permission to seek a trade which would include a contract extension. Taylor would speak to the team about personal terms and if encouraged, the teams would approach the Colts about compensation.

The Miami Dolphins were the team most-publicly linked with making a move for Taylor, but early this week, a mystery team was being discussed as having interest.

Many thought the mystery team was nothing more than a Colts' ploy to drive Taylor's price higher for the Dolphins, but ESPN's Stephen Holder reported there was real interest from an unnamed team.

"The Green Bay Packers also were in talks with the Colts and had legitimate interest in trading for the star running back, sources told ESPN," reported Holder on ESPN. 

"The Packers emerging as a contender remains relevant because Taylor can still be traded, even though he is on the reserve/physically unable to perform list and therefore must miss at least the first four games of the regular season."

The question remains if the Colts had any intention of trading Taylor, or if they would set a price tag too high for any team to realistically match.

Holder and Miami Herald reporter Barry Jackson may have answered that on Twitter.

As @HolderStephen reported, Packers were mystery bidder for Jonathan Taylor, besides the Dolphins. And can confirm through Dolphins person, as reported by Indy media, that Colts made wild requests from Miami, including Waddle & more.

— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) August 30, 2023

"As Stephen Holder reported," wrote Jackson on Twitter. "Packers were mystery bidder for Jonathan Taylor, besides the Dolphins. And can confirm through Dolphins person, as reported by Indy media, that Colts made wild requests from Miami, including Waddle & more."

Holder responded to Jackson on the social media app. 

"I might've been laughing when I mentioned the Colts throwing out Jaylen Waddle as a trade piece on air with JMV1070 yesterday, but make no mistake: I was being very serious," wrote Holder. 

One can't help but wonder if the Colts have been negotiating in good faith with Taylor. Not that they have to accommodate his wishes, they still hold the rights to his contract for one more year. 

The very-public spat between the Colts and Taylor have been ugly for everyone involved. The Colts might be better off setting a realistic asking price for their star running back and wiping the slate clean.