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Insider: Colts made 'wild' Taylor trade requests from Dolphins

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor. Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Insider: Colts made 'wild' Jonathan Taylor trade requests from Dolphins

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 8/30/23

Ever since Jonathan Taylor requested (and was granted permission to pursue) a trade from the Indianapolis Colts, the Miami Dolphins have been the team most commonly named as a possible fit.

After the Colts failed to find a trade partner for the running back by Tuesday's deadline, reports on Wednesday revealed details of the negotiations between Indianapolis and Miami.

Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald noted among other things, that the Colts made "wild requests" from the Dolphins and were asking for star wide receiver Jaylen Waddle and more in a potential return for Taylor.

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 we noted last week, Dolphins discussed multiple trade scenario packages including picks AND players with Indy, which our pal @HolderStephen mentioned in his piece this AM. Ultimately, never came close. Fins would have done deal on THEIR TERMS. Indy wanted sky and moon.
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) August 30, 2023

Jackson, who covers the NBA's Miami Heat as well, reported on X, formerly known as Twitter, that Indianapolis asking for Waddle would be like the Portland Trail Blazers trying to get star center Bam Adebayo in a deal.

"Exhausting to deal with Colts and Blazers," Jackson wrote on the social media platform. "Colts have some urgency but not realistic and bumbling Taylor situation. Blazers acting indifferent, disinterested, no urgency."

Portland's seven-time All-Star point guard Damian Lillard has been involved in scores of trade rumors all summer and has been connected to the Heat in much of the chatter.

Only possible logic I can think of with how Colts and Blazers are handling this is: 1) they hope some real contender will lose starting RB or PG and get desperate with trade offer in coming months; 2) they hope to somehow repair relationship (that is Indy hope, per Adam Schefter) https://t.co/491evGSja4
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) August 30, 2023

Colts owner Jim Irsay met with the 2021 rushing champion in late July and after Irsay initially shut down Taylor's ask for a trade. The team then granted the request in early August. Taylor has been on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list since training camp began and will remain there at least through the first four games of the 2023 season.

The former All-Pro was limited to 11 games last season due to an ankle injury, finishing the campaign with 861 rushing yards and four touchdowns.

Waddle, meanwhile, was selected by the Dolphins with the sixth overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft and after a 104-catch, 1,015-yard, six-touchdown rookie season, he was arguably even better in 2022. Alongside Tyreek Hill, Waddle gave quarterback Tua Tagovailoa perhaps the best wide receiver duo in the NFL, finishing with 75 receptions for 1,356 yards and eight scores, while leading the league in yards per reception (18.1).

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