Following a conversation aboard his owner’s bus, Jonathan Taylor is prepared to leave Indianapolis.
Following a discussion with Jim Irsay on the team bus during Saturday’s training camp session, the All-Pro running back made a trade request, according to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport.
According to Rapoport, the Colts have not yet made a contract offer to Taylor, who is presently on the physically unable to perform list, but he wants a contract extension that would place him on par with the highest-paid running backs in the league.
After the discussion, Irsay told the media that the organization is still not considering giving Taylor a contract extension, and he subsequently told Albert Breer that he was not planning to trade the Pro Bowler.
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With 3,841 running yards, 33 touchdowns, and an average of 5.1 yards per carry over the course of his career, Indianapolis’ most productive offensive weapon is the 2021 rushing champion. Additionally, he has accumulated 104 receptions for an additional 802 yards and three touchdowns in the passing game.
Taylor’s desire for a change of scenery comes at a time when the value of running backs appears to be bottoming out and he is in the final year of his rookie deal. It’s also noteworthy that he communicated his desire for a move to Irsay just days after the owner interjected himself into the RB market discussion and announced that Taylor and the organization have not held any contract negotiations.
Then, according to ESPN, Najee Harris claimed on Wednesday that he and his fellow running backs had discussed possible remedies, including modifying the franchise tag so that it isn’t applied based on position. This would level the playing field.
The NFL running back scenario led to Irsay’s social media posts on Wednesday night, which read: “NFL running back situation — We have negotiated a CBA, that took years of effort and hard work and compromise in good faith by all sides. It is improper to claim right now that a particular player category want a second negotiation after the fact. Some salespeople are engaging in “bad faith.”
Malki Kawa, Taylor’s agent, responded, “Bad faith is not paying your top offensive player.”
Just before Rapoport’s report, the team’s new head coach Shane Steichen was questioned on NFL Network’s Back Together Weekend about Taylor’s contract issue and had a dry reaction.
“That’s part of the business, and my job is to be the head football coach of this team and go lead these guys,” he declared.