{"id":143257,"date":"2023-08-02T15:00:50","date_gmt":"2023-08-02T19:00:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=143257"},"modified":"2023-08-02T10:17:03","modified_gmt":"2023-08-02T14:17:03","slug":"jonathan-taylor-wants-out-after-contract-dispute","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2023\/08\/02\/jonathan-taylor-wants-out-after-contract-dispute\/","title":{"rendered":"Jonathan Taylor Wants Out After Contract Dispute"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Days ago, <\/span>Indianapolis Colts\u00a0<span data-contrast=\"auto\">star running back <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2023\/08\/01\/nfl-holdouts-contract-disputes\/\" target=\"_self\">Jonathan Taylor<\/a> 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\u2019s bus on Saturday, presumably a step in Taylor\u2019s desire for a contract extension. With all the commotion in the running back market, Taylor is the latest to express his displeasure. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Jonathan Taylor Wants Out<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\"> After Contract Dispute<\/span><\/h2>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">BREAKING: Jonathan Taylor has requested a trade from the Colts, per <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/RapSheet?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@RapSheet<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/Sf6FLq2bsr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/Sf6FLq2bsr<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BleacherReport\/status\/1685444969866407936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">July 30, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h3><span data-contrast=\"none\">An Unexpected Step Back<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">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. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">The down year, though not inherently Taylor\u2019s fault alone, didn\u2019t help him in contract talks. It\u2019s easy to justify paying a running back coming off Taylor\u2019s 2021 season but the case is not the same for 2022. Hence Taylor\u2019s frustration. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span data-contrast=\"none\">A Market at Rock Bottom<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Possibly the biggest story of the NFL offseason has been the indignation felt by the league\u2019s running backs. Running back is now the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2023\/07\/07\/most-valuable-positions-in-football\/\" target=\"_self\">fourth-lowest paid position<\/a> 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. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Fortunately for Taylor, he\u2019s not alone. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/B\/BarkSa00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Saquon Barkley<\/a> held out<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2023\/08\/01\/nfl-holdouts-contract-disputes\/\" target=\"_self\"> to get a deal slightly better<\/a> than the franchise tag and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/J\/JacoJo01.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Josh Jacobs<\/a> appears to be headed toward playing on said tag. At the moment, Taylor, Barkley, and Jacobs will be free agents next summer along with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/H\/HenrDe00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Derrick Henry<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/E\/EkelAu00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Austin Ekeler<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/P\/PollTo00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tony Pollard<\/a>. Something may be brewing. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span data-contrast=\"none\">Irsay\u2019s Interesting Manuever<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Most owners, if put in this position, would differ in generalities. Irsay, however, did not. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u201cWe will not trade Jonathan Taylor,\u201d he told ESPN, \u201cNot now and not in October.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">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\u2019s 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. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">1.) Never had a back pain.<\/p>\n<p>2.) Never reported back pain.<\/p>\n<p>Not sure who \u201csources\u201d are, but find new ones \ud83e\udd14<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Jonathan Taylor (@JayT23) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/JayT23\/status\/1685838099232747520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">July 31, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">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. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span data-contrast=\"none\">Stalemate<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">While Taylor and his agent, Malki Kawa, doubt the relationship with Indianapolis can be salvaged, Jim Irsay has been rather cryptic. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8220;If I die tonight and Jonathan Taylor is out of the league, no one&#8217;s gonna miss us,&#8221; Irsay said Saturday. &#8220;The league goes on. We know that. The National Football League rolls on. It doesn&#8217;t matter who comes and who goes, and it&#8217;s a privilege to be a part of it.&#8221;<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">An interesting way to avoid the obvious issue needing to be addressed but that\u2019s Jim Irsay for you. We\u2019ll see in the coming weeks what\u2019s in store for Jonathan Taylor, the Colts, and the entire sinking running back market.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Main Image: Mykal McEldowney\/IndyStar \/ USA TODAY NETWORK<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor requested a trade this weekend. His interactions with Jim Irsay are fueling the fire.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4610,"featured_media":143271,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[54,12,36],"tags":[7800,6237],"class_list":["post-143257","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-editorials","category-colts","category-nfl-news","tag-indianapolis-colts-news","tag-jonathan-taylor"],"modified_by":"Drew Crabtree","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/143257","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4610"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=143257"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/143257\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/143271"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=143257"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=143257"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=143257"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}