Jonathan Taylor wants to continue playing football somewhere else. After requesting a new contract to start training camp, Taylor has asked the Indianapolis Colts for a trade, NFL Insider Jonathan Jones revealed after the initial report by NFL Media.
Jonathan Taylor was allegedly being considered for the non-football injury list (NFI) by the Colts on Sunday. Taylor allegedly hurt his back while working out independently in Arizona, and he is currently recovering from surgery on his ankle in January. He is presently listed as a PUP. Taylor would be wise to stay off the NFI because he would enter free agency as a restricted player rather than an unrestricted one if he persisted and ended up on the list.
The Pro Bowl running back shot back on Sunday night, claiming he’s never had a back problem. If Taylor is to be believed, then the prevailing narrative about Indianapolis and Taylor’s healthy assertion are at odds with one another.
1.) Never had a back pain.
2.) Never reported back pain.
Not sure who “sources” are, but find new ones 🤔
— Jonathan Taylor (@JayT23) July 31, 2023
The team that selected Taylor in the second round three years ago has decided to extend Taylor’s contract as he enters the last year of his rookie deal. Taylor has 3,841 rushing yards and 33 touchdowns in three seasons with the Colts. He also has 802 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Only Edgerrin James was quicker (30 games) than him to carry for 3,000 yards in franchise history (33 games). After the Colts’ first three seasons, his 36 touchdowns are the second-most by a player.
Jim Irsay, the owner of the Colts, said last week that Taylor and the team have not even exchanged phone numbers in relation to a contract. Taylor voiced his opinion about running backs not getting paid earlier this month as the running back market continued to deteriorate.
1. If you’re good enough, they’ll find you.
2. If you work hard enough, you’ll succeed.
…If you succeed…
3. You boost the Organization
…and then…
Doesn’t matter, you’re a RB https://t.co/mG6In1ATGg
— Jonathan Taylor (@JayT23) July 17, 2023
After Taylor requested to be traded, Irsay exacerbated the situation by making some odd remarks. This week, the Colts owner made several contentious comments about Taylor, but this one was particularly offensive.
According to Irsay, quoted by The Athletic, “If I die tonight and Jonathan Taylor leaves the league, no one will miss us. “The league continues. We are aware of that. Moving forward is the National Football (League). It is a privilege to be a part of it, and it doesn’t matter who comes or departs.
Despite Irsay’s remarks, he additionally assured Sports Illustrated that the team has no plans to trade Taylor.
“We won’t trade Jonathan… Discussion over,” Irsay concluded. “Not right now, and not in October!”
Taylor’s time in Indianapolis appears to be ended since, despite what Irsay claims, he has the option of not playing. Taylor is one of the league’s top running back players despite the running back market being down.
Here is a preliminary look at Taylor’s prospective destinations:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
This offseason, the Buccaneers decided to move on from Leonard Fournette in favour of Rachaad White and Chase Edmunds. Although Taylor would give an offence that already has Mike Evans and Chris Godwin at solid skill positions a much-needed boost, Tampa Bay will rely on White to be the featured back in the offence.
Taylor would also significantly lessen Baker Mayfield’s burden of leading the offence.
Miami Dolphins
Let’s pretend Dalvin Cook is not acquired by the Dolphins. Do they focus on Taylor, a more youthful alternative?
The running back by committee strategy preferred by Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel will preserve Taylor’s tyre tread as the season progresses. Is that necessary?
Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson, who together averaged 4.8 yards per rush last season, form a strong rotation for the Dolphins. De’Von Achene, a rookie, gives Miami a strong trio in the backfield by adding even more speed.
Regardless of what McDaniel wants to do with his rotation, Taylor would be the top back in Miami. That decision might put the Dolphins in first place in the AFC East.
New England Patriots
Behind Rhamondre Stevenson, who is unquestionably the team’s top running back and a player they truly like, the Patriots don’t have a lot of depth. New England might use more offensive support to help Mac Jones after missing out on DeAndre Hopkins to improve the passing game.
After receiving just 10 carries in year one, Pierre Strong is expected to take over as the No. 2 running back, but a Taylor-Stevenson pairing would greatly improve the offence. Do Taylor and Stevenson divide the carries equally?
The Patriots should at least research the requirements for obtaining Taylor. Maybe the team that offers him a lucrative second contract is New England.
