Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor is under contract for the upcoming 2023 NFL season. After seeing what his peers have already gone through this offseason, though, Taylor is frustrated about what is ahead of him.
Taylor was the best running back in the NFL in 2021. He earned first-team All-Pro honors after leading the NFL in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. However, injuries and a struggling Colts’ offense resulted in a career-worst season for Taylor in 2022.
- Jonathan Taylor stats (career): 3,841 rushing yards, 33 rushing touchdowns, 5.1 yards per carry in 43 games
The down year came at a bad time for Taylor. After finishing his third season in the NFL, the former Wisconsin Badgers running back was eligible for a contract extension this summer. However, it’s happening at a time when NFL teams have altered their approach with running backs and long-term deals.
Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs both received the franchise tag this offseason, preventing them from hitting free agency. In addition, neither running back has found the New York Giants and Las Vegas Raiders willing to negotiate a contract extension in good faith.
At a time when NFL revenue is exploding, salaries and the franchise tag for running backs are dropping. It led to many of the best running backs in the NFL holding a conference call over the weekend, where Taylor’s emotions were on full display.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Taylor was “visibly frustrated” during a Zoom meeting between running backs. While he reported for training camp, those on the Zoom meeting indicated it was clear that Taylor wasn’t happy with his contract situation.
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In a recent interview with The Athletic, Colts’ general manager Chris Ballard said the running back market “is what the market is”, but the team remains very high on Taylor.
“The market is what the market is. But saying that, like I’ve always told you, you pay good players. You pay guys that are gonna help you win, regardless of the position. We think very highly of Jonathan. … We think that’ll play out over time and work out the way it should either way.”
Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard on running back market, Jonathan Taylor
Taylor is likely headed for the same fate as Barkley and Jacobs. The Colts’ front office will presumably let him play out the 2023 season, seeing if he stays healthy and returns to the production he delivered in 2021.
No matter what he does, though, Taylor will likely be franchised tagged next spring. It keeps him from hitting NFL free agency, providing Indianapolis with total control over the process.
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- Jonathan Taylor contract: $4.304 million salary (2023), 2024 free agent
While there’s still a possibility that Taylor receives a long-term extension, Indianapolis will likely take the same approach as every other NFL team. Taylor will be suited up in Week 1, but it’s very possible his experiences this summer lead to a holdout in 2024.
