An All-or-Nothing Trade for Jonathan Taylor?
Adding the #1 Running Back Could Have the Eagles Hoisting the Lombardi Trophy.
Even So, Here’s Why They Shouldn’t Do It.
On Wednesday, my colleague Andrew Abate wrote an outstanding article on the possibility of the Eagles making a trade to land Colts running back Jonathan Taylor. If you haven’t read it, definitely do so.
The article gives succinct arguments on the pros and cons of making such a blockbuster deal. As with any great piece of writing, it leaves the reader open to forming their own conclusion after examining the facts.
Today, I won’t be so generous.
No doubt by now, you have heard the rumors circulating this week about the possibility of the Eagles landing a blockbuster trade that would bring Pro Bowl running back Jonathan Taylor to propel the Eagles to a championship.
With the opportunity to add an All-Pro running back to an already top offense in the NFL, why would the Eagles have a moment of hesitation?
Everything Has a Cost
Even though rumors have been swirling since the middle of the summer that Taylor wished to play for another team, Indianapolis won’t give him up for free.
The Eagles will no doubt have to surrender top assets, future draft picks, young talent, or a combination of all three to land Taylor.
It’s Not Their Style
Sure, Howie Roseman is always ready to execute a trade that he thinks will strengthen the Eagles. Roseman has made some blockbuster trades with the Eagles. Last year, he dealt a 1st and 3rd round draft pick to the Tennessee Titans in exchange for AJ Brown. In 2021, they traded back with the Cowboys to land Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith. A year later, after a trade with the Houston Texans, they moved up in the draft order and got Jordan Davis. Roseman was the architect of deals that brought Darius Slay to Philadelphia and Jay Ajayi to the Eagles in 2018. Both deals contributed to two Super Bowl appearances in 2018 and 2023 for Philadelphia.
The problem is that, as the NFL well knows, the Eagles are already a Super Bowl contender in 2023. Add too much talent to the locker room, and you may get divergent agendas, take too much away, and break the chemistry altogether.
The Running Back Room is Already Pretty Crowded
The Eagles lost feature running back Miles Sanders to free agency last summer. However, they have retooled the running back room with a ton of talent. A Howie Roseman trade has brought Philly native D’Andre Swift back home from Detroit.
The Eagles added Rashaad Penny, who was a former starter in Seattle. Kenneth Gainwell and Boston Scott made significant contributions to last year’s Super Bowl run. Former Oklahoma star running back Trey Sermon is fighting hard for a roster spot. Add Jonathan Taylor, and it’s possible, if not probable, that several of these players will have to be released.
More Costs to Consider
Taylor is in the last year of a four-year deal worth $7,829,150.
I don’t want to shock you when I tell you that he is obviously going to want a new contract.
That would tax an Eagles team that has already signed Darius Slay to a 3-year, $42 Million deal and Jalen Hurts to a five-year, $255 Million deal during the 2023 off-season.
Sure, signing Taylor would solidify an offense that is one of the most talented in the NFL by adding an All-Pro, 2,000-yard rushing leader. But does the Eagles’ offense need solidifying?
If not, it may not be worth the gamble. Or a roll of a dice (which is, in fact, a form of gambling).
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