NFL Rumor Mill: Jason Taylor to the Packers—Well, Maybe Not

It is known by the football world that the Green Bay Packers have at least expressed interest in trading for Jason Taylor. What is not known, however, is if Miami has any desire to trade the veteran defensive end.

It appears not.

According to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel the Dolphins are not going to trade Taylor to Green Bay. Their primary reason? Taylor wants a bigger market. When a "source close to Taylor" was asked about the Packers' reported interest in Taylor he responded bluntly, “I don’t see it happening."

While a full list of teams that Taylor is interested in is not available, several teams are certainly high on his list. Jacksonville, San Diego, Dallas, New England, and Philadelphia are all included. Where is Green Bay?

Green Bay is not home to a big-time media market. The biggest media pull of the entire town just retired at the end of last season. In some respects, it is logical that Taylor doesn't want to end his career in Wisconsin.

Then again, why not?

Green Bay runs a 3-4 base defensive scheme, and Taylor has played in that system earlier in his career. Not only is he familiar with the layout of the defense, but he shined.

While the Packers have only "casually" inquired about Taylor, they plan on visiting him and attempting to sell him on their city and team.

While Miami can deal the defensive end to any team that they want, Taylor holds the trump card: retirement. He can threaten retirement if he is not traded to a team that he approves.

While being in a major-market city would certainly help Taylor in his acting desires, joining a small-market team like the Packers would help him in his quest for a Super Bowl ring. A player like him might just put Green Bay over the top.

Then again, he could peacefully opt to finish his career as a Dolphin before diving head-first into the acting world.

His goal of 22.5 sacks in a season, enough to tie Michael Strahan's NFL record, would be more obtainable with a better team like the Packers. But that may no longer be his primary objective.

As he says on his official site: "No matter what we say about stats around here, it's kind of what the fans and the media look at."

No matter where he goes—or stays—Jason Taylor will always be remembered as one of the best defensive ends in the history of the NFL.

However, whether his decision is to stay or go, it will most likely be criticized by fans and the media alike.