The Indianapolis Colts are hoping they can repair their fractured relationship with Jonathan Taylor. Nursing an ankle injury, Taylor is currently on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list and will miss at least the first four games of the season.
The star running requested a trade this summer after failing to sign a contract extension with the Colts. He was granted permission to seek a trade, but obviously, a deal never materialized and he still remains with the team.
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Indianapolis Colts Should Work Things out With Jonathan Taylor
The Colts are in Desperate Need of a Playmaking Back
Without Taylor, Indianapolis lost 31-21 against Trevor Lawrence and the Jacksonville Jaguars during Week 1. The loss marks 10 years since they’ve won a season-opener.
Deon Jackson, who started at running back for the Colts, struggled mightily in the game. He ran the ball 13 times for only 14 yards and fumbled twice. Jake Funk, who was elevated from the practice squad, had two carries for 10 yards. The Colts’ running backs combined for only 1.56 yards per carry.
Taylor’s primary backup, Zack Moss missed the game due to a forearm injury. Plus, rookie Evan Hull left the contest early after injuring his knee. Moss could return to the lineup for the Week 2 matchup with the Houston Texans. Unfortunately, Hull could miss time although his injury isn’t believed to be significant.
Surely, the Colts are missing Taylor in the backfield. The 2021 Pro Bowler would take pressure off rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson and give the running game a major boost.
Taylor is one of the NFL’s top Running Backs
When healthy, Taylor is one of, if not the best running back in the entire league. He’s up there with fellow stars like Nick Chubb and Derrick Henry.
He was at his best two seasons ago, leading the NFL in both rushing yards (1,811) and rushing touchdowns (18). It was certainly an MVP-caliber campaign.
Last season, Taylor was bitten by the injury bug, forcing him to miss six games. He rushed for a career-low 861 yards and four touchdowns. It was the first time he failed to reach the 1,000-yard mark since the early part of his high school career. Yet, he still managed to average 4.5 yards per carry.
Taylor might be traded before the October 31 trade deadline. If that doesn’t happen and he manages to stay healthy, the Colts could have an exciting offense, which also includes Richardson and wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr.
Pay Him His Money
Taylor is currently in the final year of his rookie contract and will become a free agent prior to the 2024 campaign. However, the Colts can use the franchise tag to prevent him from signing with another team next offseason.
The Colts have been reluctant to sign Taylor to a contract extension. That makes sense, seeing that running backs aren’t quite as valuable as they used to be.
Yet, it would be in the Colts’ best interest to hand Taylor a long-term contract. He’s only 24 years old and has the ability to give opposing defenses nightmares on a weekly basis.
He’s the franchise’s best player and could be one of the NFL’s most lethal running backs for years to come. That’s definitely the type of piece that you need to build your team around.
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