Days ago, Indianapolis Colts star running back Jonathan Taylor formally requested a trade from the team to which Jim Irsay declined in a heartbeat. The request came after a long meeting between Taylor and Irsay in the team owner’s bus on Saturday, presumably a step in Taylor’s desire for a contract extension. With all the commotion in the running back market, Taylor is the latest to express his displeasure.
Jonathan Taylor Wants Out After Contract Dispute
BREAKING: Jonathan Taylor has requested a trade from the Colts, per @RapSheet pic.twitter.com/Sf6FLq2bsr
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 30, 2023
An Unexpected Step Back
Following a 2021 season in which Taylor accounted for 1,811 rushing yards and 20 total touchdowns, 2022 did not go as expected for him and the Colts. The star back dealt with both injury and regression, appearing in just 11 games where he rushed for 861 yards and four touchdowns. The year saw the Colts go through three quarterbacks, a midseason coaching change, and a plethora of injuries. Suffice to say, it was hard for Taylor to find his groove.
The down year, though not inherently Taylor’s fault alone, didn’t help him in contract talks. It’s easy to justify paying a running back coming off Taylor’s 2021 season but the case is not the same for 2022. Hence Taylor’s frustration.
A Market at Rock Bottom
Possibly the biggest story of the NFL offseason has been the indignation felt by the league’s running backs. Running back is now the fourth-lowest paid position in the league (above only Punters, Fullbacks, and Long Snappers), with an average salary of $1.8 million. According to the Ringer, no Super Bowl champion since 2013 has paid their starting running back more than $2.5 million. It just seems to be the trend of the league.
Fortunately for Taylor, he’s not alone. Saquon Barkley held out to get a deal slightly better than the franchise tag and Josh Jacobs appears to be headed toward playing on said tag. At the moment, Taylor, Barkley, and Jacobs will be free agents next summer along with Derrick Henry, Austin Ekeler, and Tony Pollard. Something may be brewing.
Irsay’s Interesting Manuever
Most owners, if put in this position, would differ in generalities. Irsay, however, did not.
“We will not trade Jonathan Taylor,” he told ESPN, “Not now and not in October.”
Facing the possibility of Taylor sitting out, the organization is considering placing him on the non-football injury list for a supposed back injury. This would withhold Taylor’s salary of $4.3 million this season if he were not to play. Taylor took to Twitter after this, claiming he has no current concerns regarding his back.
1.) Never had a back pain.
2.) Never reported back pain.
Not sure who “sources” are, but find new ones 🤔
— Jonathan Taylor (@JayT23) July 31, 2023
Taylor is still on the Physically Unable to Perform List while he recovers from off-season ankle surgery. Regardless, he has reported to camp and has been interactive with teammates and coaches.
Stalemate
While Taylor and his agent, Malki Kawa, doubt the relationship with Indianapolis can be salvaged, Jim Irsay has been rather cryptic.
“If I die tonight and Jonathan Taylor is out of the league, no one’s gonna miss us,” Irsay said Saturday. “The league goes on. We know that. The National Football League rolls on. It doesn’t matter who comes and who goes, and it’s a privilege to be a part of it.”
An interesting way to avoid the obvious issue needing to be addressed but that’s Jim Irsay for you. We’ll see in the coming weeks what’s in store for Jonathan Taylor, the Colts, and the entire sinking running back market.
Main Image: Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK
