Stakes heightened for Green Bay following Jonathan Taylor report

Green Bay's first four games could determine whether the team trades for Colts running back Jonathan Taylor.

The Packers were the surprise mystery team in the Taylor sweepstakes, according to ESPN's Stephen Holder. Indianapolis failed to trade Taylor at the team's self-imposed Tuesday deadline, mainly due to Colts owner Jim Irsay's unreasonable demands for a player he's said isn't worth paying.

If Taylor isn't worth an appropriate contract, how is he worth Jaylen Waddle?

Taylor is still in Indianapolis and will likely remain there when the regular season begins. The Colts placed him on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, meaning he can't play the first four weeks of the season.

If the Packers get off to a hot start, they'll have every reason to go after Taylor. What that would mean for starting running back Aaron Jones is unclear, but that's a problem Green Bay should be willing to invite as it builds its offense around unproven starting quarterback Jordan Love.

If Green Bay flops out the gate, it would be wiser for it to hoard its 2024 picks instead of trading valuable draft capital.

Detroit (+140) is the favorite to win the division while defending champ Minnesota (+290) has the second-best odds. Green Bay (+400) sits third, only ahead of Chicago (+450), which had the worst record in the league last season.

In Mike Clay's projections for ESPN, the NFC North has the smallest gap between its top team's projected wins (8.2 for both Detroit and Minnesota) and its last-place finisher (7.5 for Green Bay).

The division appears up for grabs and based on pedigree alone, Green Bay can't be ignored. 

The Packers kick off the season with road games at Chicago and Atlanta before home dates against New Orleans and Detroit in Weeks 3 and 4.

They need a strong start to justify potentially trading for Taylor.