Reports surfaced on Monday that the Indianapolis Colts were willing to discuss multiple veterans ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline, including running back Frank Gore.
Apparently, one conversation led Indianapolis to an Eagles team that was looking for an upgrade at running back. The very same Eagles squad that Gore almost signed with after leaving San Francisco a few years back.
“Gore garnered definite interest. A trade to the Philadelphia Eagles was broached given the Eagles’ need for running back depth,” Stephen Holder of the Indy Star reported Tuesday.
In the end, Philadelphia opted to pick up former Dolphins Pro Bowler Jay Ajayi from the Dolphins in exchange for a fourth-round pick.
TRADE: #Eagles have acquired RB Jay Ajayi from Miami in exchange for a 2018 4th-round pick. #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/LIepxUbP2B
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) October 31, 2017
Given that he’s 10 years younger than Gore, the trade for Ajayi makes sense long term. Gore likely would have provided a stopgap option, at best. Ajayi could give Philadelphia years of three-down work as long as he stays healthy.
It will now be interesting to see if the Colts simply decide to release Gore. They have a youngster in Marlon Mack set to take on more work.
With the team going nowhere fast this season, Indianapolis might be inclined to let Gore test the free agent market and latch on with a contending team.
Time will tell there.