Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor requested a trade after the franchise publicly stated its disinterest in signing him to a contract extension. With his future in Indianapolis in doubt, multiple NFL teams have expressed interest in the All-Pro running back.
Taylor, the 41st pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, is entering the last year of his rookie contract. He was the best running back in the NFL in 2021, leading the league in rushing yards and touchdowns. However, an injury-plagued 2022 season decimated his production and it occurred at the worst time for him contractually.
- Jonathan Taylor stats (career): 3,841 rushing yards, 33 rushing touchdowns, 5.1 yards per carry in 43 games
While Indianapolis has publicly expressed its interest in building the offense around Taylor this fall, there is no long-term commitment to him. Even before owner Jim Irsay stated a contract extension wasn’t on the table, the expectation was that the Colts would place the franchise tag on the All-Pro runner in 2024.
Following Taylor’s trade request, his availability and the worsening situation between him and the Colts is now one of the biggest stories around the NFL.
Related: Indianapolis Colts set massive asking price for Jonathan Taylor trade
Jeff Howe of The Athletic spoke to multiple executives about the current situation in Indianapolis, Taylor’s standing and the likelihood of him being traded this season. One consensus opinion shared among the executives is that the asking price of landing Taylor is too rich.
“Too pricy on both fronts.”
NFL general manager on the possibility of acquiring Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor
- Jonathan Taylor contract: $5.117 million salary (2023), 2024 free agent
A second team executive said the Colts’ asking price would never be met as currently stands. Taylor is only viewed as a rental right now and his willingness to do a hold-in and express his frustrations publicly suggests a contract extension would be very complicated. So, teams are left trading for a great running back who is only under contract for one year and then it has to deal with its own problems with Taylor.
Related: Jonathan Taylor trade landing spots
Will the Colts trade Jonathan Taylor?
Of the NFL executives Howe spoke to, eight high-ranking team officials all expressed skepticism that Taylor is traded this season. While there’s consensus that the situation between Taylor and the Colts is bad, both sides are subject to the same problem.
If an NFL team wants to add a quality running back before the season, Dalvin Cook is available. While evaluators no longer view him as one of the premium running backs in the league, he can be a starter who plays an impactful role for a contender.
Even teams looking for depth at running back or to strengthen their backfield rotation have options. Leonard Fournette and Ezekiel Elliott are still available, but the veterans have only taken visits with the New England Patriots this summer.
A majority of teams still believe Taylor has the talent to earn All-Pro votes and he’s one of the best three-down backs in the NFL. If the Colts were committed to trading him and the price was reasonable, there would be a swarm of suitors and a trade would be far more likely.
However, Taylor’s contract situation and the Colts’ insistence on either keeping Taylor or receiving a premium draft pick for him means a trade is unlikely to happen anytime soon.
