Why Seattle Passed on Jonathan Taylor

Seattle was interested in Taylor, but did not complete a deal before the NFL trade deadline. The Seahawks instead acquired Indianapolis guard Quenton Nelson, giving up a third- and fifth-round pick. Taylor remained with the Colts.

Cost was a major consideration. Taylor’s contract covers two years and $44 million. Seattle had not matched the three-year, $43 million deal Kenneth Walker III signed in free agency, and the team has other running backs available.

The Seahawks are counting on Zach Charbonnet and first-round pick Jadarian Price. Price is under team control for five seasons, while Charbonnet is set to become a free agent after this season. Seattle has relied on Charbonnet for four seasons.

Charbonnet carried 16 times for 77 yards in Seattle’s Week 9 win over Arizona. He is working his way back after tearing his ACL in January during a divisional-round game against San Francisco. The team also expects Price to develop as he gains experience and gets healthier.

With both backs already part of Seattle’s plans, the team chose not to take on Taylor’s contract for the remaining half-season.