One of the more intriguing stories during NFL training camp and preseason this month has been the fallout between Colts owner Jim Irsay and All-Pro running back Jonathan Taylor, which has led to Indianapolis granting their running back permission to seek a trade. Over the past few days, rumors have swirled about the teams that have potential interest in trading for Taylor, including the Chicago Bears. Despite the Colts' running back being one of the best running backs in the league, there are more reasons why Chicago shouldn't trade for him.
The Bears Rushing Offense Is Already In A Solid Place
There are several reasons why the Bears would be interested in trading for Taylor, as he has accumulated over 3800 rushing yards and 36 touchdowns in his first three seasons in the league. Despite only playing in 11 games and a dysfunctional offense under head coach Frank Reich last season, the Colts starting back rushed for nearly 1,000 yards. Despite battling nagging injuries last season, Taylor's struggles, especially in generating touchdowns, were due to opposing defenses knowing he was the Colts' only offensive threat.
Another crucial element for why Chicago is potentially interested in a trade is that current head coach Matt Eberflus worked in Indianapolis for two seasons with the Pro Bowl running back. Eberflus served as the Colts defensive coordinator for four seasons from 2018 to 2021 before being hired by the Bears. Chicago's head coach was in Indianapolis when Taylor led the league in rushing yards in 2021 with 1,811 and recorded a league-leading 18 touchdowns. Since becoming Chicago's head coach, Eberflus has added several coaches and players to the team that he had previously worked with during his time with the Colts.
Despite the level of success Taylor has had so far in his career, he really wouldn't drastically improve the Bears' offense, given the production level the rushing offense had last season with offensive coordinator Luke Getsy. Despite injuries to running backs Khalil Hebert and David Montgomery, the two combined for over 1,531 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. Herbert would have rushed for over 1,000 yards had he not been sidelined with injuries for four games.
Although the Bears finished with the worst record in the NFL in 2022, their offense had the second-best rushing attack in the NFL, as the team rushed for over 3,000 yards. Getsy oversaw a rushing attack led by quarterback Justin Fields, who rushed for over 1,100 yards and nearly broke the record for rushing yards in a season by a quarterback. The Bears' offensive coordinator was highly successful designing run plays for his quarterback but also for his running backs and wide receivers. The Bears had over ten rushing attempts of 30 yards or longer last season.
This season, Chicago's rushing offense has the potential to be even better as they have made several additions to the offensive line and running back position. In the offseason, general manager Ryan Poles signed veteran running back D'Onta Foreman and offensive guard Nate Davis while drafting offensive tackle Darnell Wright and running back Roschon Johnson. With an improved offensive line and two running backs in Foreman and Hebert, as both could have rushed for 1,000 yards if they had been featured backs for an entire season, the Bears rushing offense could see similar results to last season.
Johnson's presence also reduces the need for potentially trading for Taylor, as the rookie running back has been highly productive throughout training camp and Chicago's two preseason games. Against the Titans, the former Texas running back recorded a 24-yard gain on his first rushing attempt and finished the game with 46 yards on four carries. Against the Colts, Johnson recorded both a rush and reception of 12 yards or more.
Trading For Taylor Would Hinder Chicago's Rebuild More Than It Would Help
If Chicago were to complete a trade for Taylor, the cost to bring him to Chicago and keep him around could be costlier than if they chose not to trade for him. A deal with Indianapolis would involve at least one high-round draft selection or a quantity of mid-round picks. Either could be too expensive for Poles, as the Bears' general manager has spent the last two years acquiring as many picks as possible. With Chicago still needing to address several roster spots in next year's draft, it wouldn't make sense to trade for a running back when there is no current concerning issue with the position.
A trade for Taylor would also involve a high-priced contract extension, as the All-Pro has only two years left on his rookie deal. The Bears have the salary cap space to extend the running back but could create an issue in a few years when Fields' rookie contract comes up, as the quarterback's contract extension could be one of the most expensive in the league. Additionally, a pricey contract extension for Taylor could cost Chicago a chance at signing a prominent free agent defensive end in next year's offseason, as Pro Bowl ends Nick Bosa and Brian Burns will likely test free agency.
Losing potential draft picks and salary cap space for one player is too much to surrender at the running back position, given where Chicago currently stands. Taylor could put up similar numbers to his 2021 season if brought to the Bears, but it may not make a difference for the team's future over the next few seasons. Running backs currently have a small shelf life for success in the NFL, and by the time Chicago is ready to contend for a Super Bowl, Taylor's career could be on the decline.
The 2023 season is expected to be a year in which the team plays improved football, wins more games, and places itself in a position to compete for the playoffs and a Super Bowl over the next few seasons. If Chicago was a running back away from competing for a championship, a trade of Taylor would make perfect sense, but it doesn't right now because the roster is still several additions away from legitimately competing. In an acquisition involving the Colts for their star running back, the Bears offense would provide an immense level of excitement, but it would not guarantee a playoff run or confirmation that Fields is the quarterback of the future.
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