The Green Bay Packers head into the final stretch before the NFL trade deadline looking for answers on the ground, where their offense has yet to find a reliable rhythm.
Josh Jacobs returned recently after time on the commissioner’s exempt list tied to an offseason legal matter, yet his early production has stayed modest, with limited yardage on a modest number of carries.
At the same time, the Indianapolis Colts have signaled they are willing to listen on star running back Jonathan Taylor, a move that has drawn interest from several teams seeking a boost ahead of the Nov. 10 deadline.
NFL on FOX writer Henry McKenna identified the Packers on Saturday as the most realistic landing spot for Taylor among the teams that could pursue him.
McKenna ranked potential destinations from least to most likely, slotting the Houston Texans sixth, the Denver Broncos fifth, the Cincinnati Bengals fourth, the New York Giants third, the Minnesota Vikings second and the Packers first.
That placement puts Green Bay ahead of division rivals and other contenders that also face questions at running back.
Taylor, a former Wisconsin Badger, carries an obvious local connection that has long intrigued Packers officials, and earlier reports indicated the team explored a deal for him in 2023.
Adding him would give Green Bay a proven back in his prime who has continued to produce at a high level despite Indianapolis’s uneven season.
The Packers already have Jacobs under contract, but pairing the two could create a formidable tandem while providing insurance if Jacobs’s form does not fully return.
Any deal would require significant draft compensation, as the Colts view Taylor as a core piece and would likely demand premium picks in return.
Taylor remains under contract through 2028, with sizable salaries scheduled for the next two seasons, so cap considerations would also factor into any package.
McKenna’s ranking comes as multiple teams have already reached out to Indianapolis, according to reporting from Adam Schefter and others, with talks described as active.
For the Packers, the fit centers on both need and geography, offering a chance to bring a Wisconsin product home while addressing a clear roster priority.
Whether Green Bay ultimately pursues the trade remains to be seen, but McKenna’s assessment places them at the front of the line among realistic suitors.
The deadline leaves limited time for negotiations, and both sides would need to align on value before any agreement could materialize.
