On Saturday, star running back Jonathan Taylor requested to be traded from the Indianapolis Colts, raising the question of which NFL team could step up to the plate. And while the Philadelphia Eagles aren't a popular answer, it's worth exploring their chances.

Of course, we have to remember what appears to be obvious: The Eagles don't seem to value the running back position all that much. In free agency, they let Miles Sanders walk even though he was far from a player that could've broken the market or anything like that. 

As a result, the Eagles traded for D'Andre Swift in a relatively cheap move that barely cost them draft capital. In essence, general manager Howie Roseman dealt away a fourth-round pick in 2024 and a swap of seventh-round picks and got a pass-catching RB who brings a lot to the table.

But Taylor is worth a look despite the front office's view of running backs and the team's previous trade for Swift. After all, running back market decline aside, Taylor has been one of the most valuable backs in the NFL over the last three years. Let's dive in.

The Eagles likely wouldn't sign Jonathan Taylor to a long-term deal

This is by far the most important place to start. While the New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, and Chicago Bears, among other candidates to trade for Taylor, could potentially sign Taylor to a multi-year deal, the move would be different for the Eagles.

Philly is gunning for a Super Bowl run in a depleted NFC. The conference is up for grabs and their chances of repeating are looking good with one of the best rosters in the league. With $13.8 million in cap space, the Eagles could seek a one-year rental out of Taylor if they really wanted to. On his current deal, Taylor is owed $4.3 million in 2023.

What would the Eagles need to give up on a trade? 

My A to Z Sports colleague Mike Payton evaluated what the Colts could get in return for Taylor by looking into recent running back trades, concluding that "a safe bet would be to assume the Colts could get something in the ballpark of a 2024 second-round pick and a future third."

Considering the running back market has been as slow as it's been this year, I wouldn't be surprised if a trade ends up being even less expensive. Especially since Taylor will be seeking a deal. However, the Eagles wouldn't face the fear of an in-season holdout as the Colts running back has yet to accrue four seasons in the NFL, which he needs to become an unrestricted free agent in 2024.

It would make the Eagles so much better

As painful as it might be, the data doesn't lie. Paying running backs long-term deals for big-time money usually ends in regret. The optimal way to build an elite NFL team isn't through running backs and the Eagles have apparently figured that out.

And yet, that can't be translated into thinking Jonathan Taylor wouldn't make your team way better. And Taylor would improve the Eagles, make no mistake about it. Imagine running behind that offensive line on a team that also has a numbers advantage on defenses with a quarterback that can run the football like Jalen Hurts. 

If the Colts do end up open to trading Taylor and he doesn't cost much, trading for him could boost the Eagles' status as NFC contenders.

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