Colts give Jonathan Taylor permission to seek out trade, source says
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indianapolis Colts have given unhappy running back Jonathan Taylor permission to locate a trade partner, a person with knowledge of the issue told The Associated Press on Monday.
The person requested anonymity because it has not been shared publicly.
Just two days earlier Shane Steichen told reporters Taylor will rejoin the squad Sunday following an excused absence to tend to a personal matter. Then on Sunday, Steichen said Taylor would go with the Colts to Philadelphia, where the clubs will perform a combined practice Tuesday before playing their preseason finales Thursday.
Taylor has not practiced since the end of last season because of offseason ankle surgery.
The 2021 NFL rushing champion went on the physically unable to perform list when the Colts reported to training camp July 25 and is still on it as he continues to recuperate. Steichen would not specify whether Taylor might practice in Philadelphia.
“I do not know,” he answered. “Once he is cleared to play, like I said, he’ll be back.”
Taylor’s injury is just one complication in an ugly contract dispute that has played out on X, formerly known as Twitter, in the media and even included a one-hour meeting between Taylor and Jim Irsay on the team owner’s motorhome, which was parked in full view of a capacity crowd at the team’s training camp complex.
The 2021 NFL rushing champ also wants an extension as he enters the final year of his rookie contract. Taylor is expected to earn $4.3 million this season and has been one of the more vocal running backs in recent months who has complained about the low value placed on the position by teams.
Many running backs don’t earn second contracts and organizations are often loath to pay premium money for players whose careers tend to be shorter and younger, quicker, cheaper choices are virtually always available. As a result, only kickers and punters have lower franchise tags than the $10.1 million for rushers.
Indy has not yet started discussing a new deal for three reasons — it wants to make sure Taylor is healthy, it wants to see how Taylor fits in Steichen’s new scheme and it could utilize the franchise tag to retain Taylor in the locker room for two more seasons.
Following the motorhome discussion, Irsay indicated he was hopeful Taylor will have a strong season. Later that same night, word leaked Taylor had demanded a trade.
Now, Irsay may be trying to patch things up.
“I know these things are always difficult. I respect any time folks are trying to fight for their position and their families and all those things,” Irsay said during the broadcast of Saturday’s 24-17 victory over the Chicago Bears. “We’re really looking forward to him playing his way into being the Jonathan Taylor he was.”
Irsay added: “I know (general manager) Chris Ballard is going to work hard and get the waters as calm as they can and go forward.”
What it would take to get the 24-year-old who was a high school star in New Jersey before hitting the 2,000-yard mark twice with the Wisconsin Badgers is unclear. Another team would have to pay up two first-round draft picks to get Taylor if he were under the franchise designation.
While the biggest issue over Taylor coming out of college was his hefty workload, 926 carries in three seasons with the Badgers, it didn’t slow his NFL presence.
As a rookie, Taylor ran for 1,169 yards and averaged 5.0 yards per carry after replacing the injured Marlon Mack as Indy’s starter. In 2021, he led the league with 1,811 yards, 18 TD runs and 2,171 yards from scrimmage while sharing the league lead in total touchdowns (20).
The damaged ankle cost him six games last season and he ending up rushing for 861 yards, 4.5 yards per carry and four TDs — both career lows — as Indy labored to a 4-12-1 mark.
Indy had been depending on Taylor to rebound this season as rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson, the No. 4 overall choice in April’s draft, takes over as the starting. It appears they still want him in that job.
“I can’t say enough about him and his family. You never go in (to a season) with no concerns at all,” Irsay said. “We’re doing everything we can to support him and embrace him as a Colt because he’s a great young man.”
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