Colts Eyed On Packers’ Christian Watson

The Indianapolis Colts weren’t only wide receivers interested in trading for Jonathan Taylor by the Miami Dolphins star Jaylen Waddle.

According to league sources, when Indianapolis and Green Bay first discussed a potential Taylor trade, the Colts requested second-year receiver Christian Watson from the Packers.

However, according to sources, the Packers never considered trading Watson for Taylor or anyone else and promptly put an end to any such talk.

Taylor, who has an ankle injury and is now on the physically unable to perform list, is reportedly “going to pass his physical and could pass it today.” When he becomes eligible to be taken off the PUP list in Week 5, Taylor intends to be ready to play by then.

Taylor was the subject of trade talks between the Colts and Packers, but no deal materialised. Green Bay is thought to have merely provided compensation in the form of a draught selection, which was insufficient to convince Indianapolis to part up its All-Pro running back.

Brian Gutekunst, general manager of the Packers, said last month, “We try to be in every conversation.” “We’d like to improve the Green Bay Packers whenever we have good players available to us, and we’ll consider those options. That’s all I have to say on the subject.

Last month, a number of media publications reported that Indianapolis asked for Waddle in Taylor-related trade negotiations. The general manager of the Dolphins, Chris Grier, acknowledged having “exploratory talks” with the general manager of the Colts, Chris Ballard, but he also said there had been “no exchange of offers” and that “nothing was really close.”

The Colts wanted something of worth in exchange for Taylor, and Waddle and Watson’s interest from Indianapolis shows how much the Dolphins and Packers want these two outstanding wide receivers.

Two of the best young wide receivers in the NFL are Waddle and Watson. With 1,356 receiving yards, Waddle, 24, was ninth in the league last season.

Watson, 24, was selected by the Packers in the second round of the 2022 draught, 34th overall, and caught 41 receptions for 611 yards and nine touchdowns. Watson totaled eight touchdowns between Week 10 and Week 13. Last season, he shared the lead among rookies in the NFL in total touchdowns with Jahan Dotson and Kenneth Walker III.

Watson’s hamstring injury will prevent him from participating in the Packers’ regular-season opener against the Chicago Bears on Sunday.

Taylor was ineligible to play in at least the first four games of the season because the Colts held him on the PUP list after failing to find a trade partner. Taylor won’t take the field in games against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans, or Los Angeles Rams.

Prior to the October 31 trade deadline, the Colts’ greatest opportunity to acquire Taylor might present itself. The Colts may elect to franchise Taylor and try to move him again the following summer if a deal hasn’t been agreed by then.