The Steelers are one of the teams interested in trading for Colts running back Jonatha Taylor, Destin Adams of AtoZSports reports. That’s the first public mention of the Steelers being in the sweepstakes to land the Colts superstar running back after he requested a trade back in July.
Adams has heard teams who have expressed interest in Taylor include the Steelers, Washington Commanders, Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins, Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, and Buffalo Bills. A trade for Taylor has a lot of hurdles the Steelers would need to overcome.
For what it’s worth, Adams has a history of credibility when reporting Colts news. For example, he was the first to break Isaiah Rodgers’ suspension this summer. So, while this scenario seems out of left field, the reporter is credible with a history of sources.
Yet, Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren create a solid duo and one that does not take up much on the cap sheet. Taylor remains on the PUP list but will be activated following Week 4 when he can come off. That is after Taylor had offseason ankle surgery. But he is expected to play while the Colts listen to offers.
However, the reports say that Taylor has maintained that he wants out of Indianapolis following a public dispute with owner Jim Irsay about the running back contract market. Taylor wants a new contract, and the Colts have not even negotiated with the superstar running back. But it seems they believe the situation could be repairable, though reports a few days ago indicated that the Colts had no intentions of keeping Taylor long-term.
Regardless of that situation, the Steelers are an unlikely landing spot for that reason. A running back is the least of their problems right now, and a hefty contract for a running back might be a tough pill to swallow for the team. The reported interest the Steelers have is likely a due diligence call to see what the cost might be in acquiring Taylor, and if it were enough of a bargain, Omar Khan and Andy Weidl would think harder about that. However, reports note that the Colts want a Christian McCaffrey-like haul for Taylor.
As such, that makes this unlikely, but the interest is intriguing either way. These trade rumors will swirl more and more as the trade deadline draws closer. Taylor likely is on the move, but don’t expect to see him in Pittsburgh.
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