Why Cowboys aren't showing more interest in trading for All-Pro RB Jonathan Taylor

The Cowboys claim they feel comfortable developing their young running backs, but should they kick the tires on disgruntled Colts star Jonathan Taylor?
 
On Tuesday, Dallas owner Jerry Jones downplayed any interest in Taylor, who recently earned permission to seek a trade. "I should and do look at every opportunity that's out there," Jones said, via the Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Clarence Hill Jr. "You have to be judicious. You have to make your choice of what's best for you. The way our young backs are playing, I'm very comfortable with where we are with our backs right now."

Dallas already has an RB1 in Pro Bowler Tony Pollard. Backup RBs Rico Dowdle and rookie Deuce Vaughn looked solid in two preseason games, combining for 123 rushing yards.

However, acquiring Taylor would electrify the offense. Since entering the league in 2020, the 24-year-old has logged the fourth-most rushing yards (3,841 on 756 attempts) in the league and tied for second in rushing TDs (33). In 2021, he finished second in Offensive Player of the Year voting and earned a first-team All-Pro nod.
 
Plus, Taylor gives Dallas a bona fide replacement for RB Ezekiel Elliott, who was released this offseason.

"Ezekiel Elliott had 248 touches [last season]. Are you telling me you're going to redistribute that to those other players on that roster and make up for that production?" Sal Paolantonio said Wednesday on ESPN's "Get Up." "If you add Jonathan Taylor into that mix, you automatically upgrade that RB position. You take that pressure off [quarterback] Dak Prescott."

Money is an issue, though. Taylor is entering the final year of his contract and wants an extension. Per Spotrac, his market value is a four-year, $52.3M deal. Dallas isn't in a position to offer a large contract. It must save cap space for upcoming extensions for WR CeeDee Lamb, LB Micah Parsons and Prescott. Spotrac projects that Dallas will be $14.6M over the cap in 2024.

Also, the Cowboys might want to avoid long-term RB deals after giving Elliott a six-year, $90M contract in 2019 a regrettable decision given the dip in his numbers and the fact that he made no Pro Bowls.

While adding Taylor is tempting, there are too many roadblocks, making a trade for the talented RB less attractive.