Oftentimes in the NFL when a player requests for a trade, there is some disconnect between the player and organization. It can get nasty. Don’t expect that to be the case when it comes to Indianapolis Colts running back Marlon Mack.
Three games into the 2021 season, it was clear that Mack wasn’t going to see much work in a backfield dominated by Jonathan Taylor and Nyheim Hines. After Mack was deemed a healthy scratch in Week 3, he approached the front office with a request to be traded.
It wasn’t hostile. Mack didn’t take to the airways or vent his frustrations through the media. He simply went to the decision-makers and request they do what’s best for him. It’s clear the decision-makers agreed.
“Just had an agreement with what’s best for me. They were just all with it. They supported me 100 percent. It’s a mutual agreement I would say,” Mack told reporters Thursday.
While most expected Mack to hit free agency following a lost 2020 season due to a torn Achilles he suffered in Week 1, the former fourth-round pick re-signed with the Colts on a one-year deal to provide depth in the backfield.
Despite the Achilles injury being mostly a death knell for running backs, Mack was without limitations at training camp and looked the part of a solid back that could help the offense.
But with budding star Taylor coming off of an explosive rookie campaign and Hines being arguably the most electric player on the offensive side of the ball, there simply isn’t enough work to go around.
Mack understands the NFL is a business, and he’s not looking to become a distraction during what is already a poor start to the campaign.
“I know it’s a business, but I’ve just been working. I don’t try to be negative as much around the guys. I know I want to get out there, I’m passionate, I want to compete – go out there and help this team, but don’t let the guys see that, keep helping them, keep motivating them, staying in good spirits,” Mack said. “I’m just being patient I would say. That’s one thing I do well I think, is just try to be patient and be a good human I would say overall – have good energy around the guys and don’t be negative.”
Mack can certainly help a team in need of running back depth. We took a look at some potential trade partners the Colts could target, and there seemed to be some interest from other teams this offseason before Mack re-signed with the Colts.
It will be interesting to see what happens with Mack moving forward, but it’s likely he will be gone by the time the trade deadline arrives.
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