The Indianapolis Colts are a mess right now.
They’re 0-3 and have tough matchups against Miami and Baltimore the next two weeks before the schedule finally starts to lighten up.
In Week 3, Frank Reich foolishly decided to abandon the run — Jonathan Taylor had five carries in both halves — and put the game in Carson Wentz’s hands despite the fact that he could barely move on his injured ankles.
Coming off that deeply flawed approach, the Colts have oddly just expressed a massive vote of confidence in their talented backfield.
Per ESPN insider Adam Schefter, the Colts and Marlon Mack have mutually agreed to seek a trade involving the 25-year-old RB.
One reason Colts’ RB Marlon Mack didn't play Sunday is because, per league sources, the team is considering trading him. Mack's on a one-year deal, he's healthy and still can be productive.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 28, 2021
The Colts and Marlon Mack have mutually agreed to seek a trade.
The timing is admittedly a little head-scratching, but it makes sense.
Mack has played just 13 snaps over the first three games, which is a far cry from the workload he expected to receive after he returned to the Colts on a one-year deal in the offseason.
However, with Taylor operating as Indy’s workhorse and Nyheim Hines establishing himself as one of the most dynamic change-of-pace backs in the NFL, the Colts have been hard-pressed to find playing time for Mack.
It’s an unfortunate turn of events, as Mack has been an incredibly productive player for the Indianapolis and the franchise has great respect for him when he stuck around as a mentor for Taylor and the RB room after he went down with a torn Achilles in Week 1 of last season.
We don’t currently know if Mack is capable of handling a starter’s workload post-injury, but he has far too much talent to be wasted as a third-stringer who barely sees the field. The Colts can easily promote Jordan Wilkins into that role, so they might as well cash in on Mack while they still can, right?
Colts OC Marcus Brady on the status of running back Marlon Mack, whom the team is now considering trading: "When you've got that much talent in the backfield, it's sometimes hard to share the wealth."
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) September 28, 2021
Luckily for Mack, the Colts shouldn’t have much trouble finding a suitor for him. Running backs have been dropping like flies in the early going this season. Off the top of our heads, teams like the Jets, Ravens, Chiefs, Falcons, 49ers and even the Bills, to a certain extent, can use help in their respective backfields.
Prior to his devastating injury last season, Mack was one of the most underrated running back talents in the league. In 2018 and 2019, the former fourth-round pick racked up 1,999 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns on 4.5 yards per carry. He even contributed as a pass-catcher, notching 31 receptions for an additional 185 yards.
This is undoubtedly a sad day for Colts fans, but they had to see this coming. While Mack only accounts for a $2 million cap hit this season, it makes next to no sense to keep him on the roster if he’s just going to keep the bench warm.
Colts: 2 players that should be irate after lack of snaps in Week 3
The Week 3 snap counts are pretty unsightly, as Colts head coach Frank Reich stuck Jonathan Taylor and Kylen Granson on the bench.