Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor has requested a trade following a meeting with Colts’ owner Jim Irsay at the team’s practice facility.
Taylor, the 41st pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, is entering the final year of his rookie contract. Seeking to become one of the highest-paid running backs, he has met significant resistance from the Colts’ organization to a contract extension.
- Jonathan Taylor stats (career): 3,841 rushing yards, 33 rushing touchdowns, 5.1 yards per carry in 43 games
Meeting with reporters on Saturday, Irsay stated that Indianapolis is not planning on extending Taylor. Instead, the organization intended to let him finish out his rookie contract and then was expected to apply the franchise tag on him in 2024. Irsay’s decision along with his previous tweet have reportedly factored into Taylor’s decision.
- Jonathan Taylor contract: $5.117 million salary (2023), 2024 free agent
Taylor, who led the NFL in rushing yards and touchdowns in 2021, is coming off an injury-plagued season. In 2022, he missed significant time with an ankle injury that sidelined him twice and eventually landed him on season-ending injured reserve.
In Taylor’s absence at training camp, Evan Hull has received a majority of the first-team reps. However, Zack Moss and Deon Jackson also would see expanded roles if Taylor is traded.
3 Jonathan Taylor trade destinations
The fact that the Indianapolis Colts are willing to trade Jonathan Taylor bodes well for his desire to play elsewhere. However, the former first-team All-Pro selection still faces the issue of finding a team who is willing to extend him.
Both the New York Giants and Las Vegas Raiders were extremely reluctant to extend either Saquon Barkley or Josh Jacobs to multi-year extensions. After placing the franchise tags on both Pro Bowl running backs, New York and Las Vegas were willing to let both players holdout rather than make them two of the NFL’s highest-paid running backs.
Taylor, who is coming off the worst season of his career, will face the same challenges. While he’s only entering his fourth NFL season, his workload with the Colts and Wisconsin Badgers is factored into how teams view him. Entering the 2023 season, Taylor has handled 1,828 touches in the NFL and college football, not including preseason and playoff games.
Keepind that in mind, there are a few teams that stand out as logical fits for Taylor in terms of need and importance.
- Buffalo Bills – While many still view James Cook as a breakout candidate in 2023, the second-year running back is still unproven as a starter. Buffalo struggled to maintain an effective rushing attack in 2022 when the ball wasn’t in Josh Allen’s hands. Taylor would fit perfectly in their system, serving as a three-down back who could deliver explosive runs, be dangerous near the goal line and catch passes out of the backfield. The Bills have the assets to acquire Taylor, but it’s important to remember they are only $5 million under the salary cap this season and they’re $25.1 million over the projected 2024 salary cap.
- Miami Dolphins – While there is mutual interest between the Miami Dolphins and Dalvin Cook, everything changes with Taylor available. The Pro Bowl running back would be the missing piece in the Dolphins’ offense, complementing Tua Tagovailoa and one of the most explosive passing attacks in the NFL perfectly. Furthermore, head coach Mike McDaniel wants Miami to run the football more often and far more effectively in 2023, and Taylor does that. While the Dolphins have $13 million in cap space available right now, they’re projected to be $32 million over the estimated cap in 2024.
- Washington Commanders – While the Dolphins and Bills will be the favorites for Jonathan Taylor, the Washington Commanders could be a team to watch. In his first season, offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy is planning to deploy an offense that is built around the ground game. While Brian Robinson Jr and Antonio Gibson each offer some positive traits, the two running backs combined can’t match Taylor’s skill set and three-down contribution. The Commanders’ ownership group might also want to make a splash early in their tenure and Taylor would be the player who turns Washington into a legitimate playoff contender. Plus, the Commanders have $80 million in cap space next year and that gives them the room to extend Taylor.
- Baltimore Ravens – The Baltimore Ravens took an aggressive approach to improving their passing game this offseason. Zay Flowers and Odell Beckham Jr. are expected to help transform this offense. While this will be a more balanced unit this fall, Baltimore’s history centers on dominating opponents on the ground. Taylor would be another All-Pro offensive weapon for Lamar Jackson, creating a more dynamic RPO game and giving Jackson a checkdown option. Of note, the Ravens have an estimated $19.6 million of cap space in 2024.
