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Indianapolis Colts: Jonathan Taylor and Jim Irsay are stuck together

By Michael Johnson

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 17: Jonathan Taylor #28 of the Indianapolis Colts is carted through the stadium after sustaining an injury in the first quarter of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 17, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 17: Jonathan Taylor #28 of the Indianapolis Colts is carted through the stadium after sustaining an injury in the first quarter of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 17, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) /
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Jonathan Taylor asked for a trade after he and Jim Irsay beef on X (formerly known as Twitter) unfortunately, the two of them are stuck with each other.

If you’ve been on Twitter or following the NFL lately, you’ll know two things: NFL training camp is heating up, and there’s beef within the Indianapolis Colts franchise between running back Jonathan Taylor and Jim Irsay. NFL fans already know how outspoken the Colts owner can be. We also know that Jonathan Taylor has one year left on his deal.

Given the current drama and state of the running back position, it’s a perfect storm. Taylor, who is coming off an ankle injury, is looking for a contract. Jim Irsay, the outspoken owner, basically said no. That’s where things got messy. After Irsay put Taylor on blast for a back injury and said the NFL will be fine if neither of them were in the league, Taylor asked to be traded. Jim Irsay’s reply? Taylor will not be traded. Even if he wanted to,  the problem is, the Colts and Taylor are stuck with each other for at least one more year.

WESTFIELD, INDIANA – JULY 29: Anthony Richardson #5 of the Indianapolis Colts participates in training camp at Grand Park Sports Campus on July 29, 2023 in Westfield, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
WESTFIELD, INDIANA – JULY 29: Anthony Richardson #5 of the Indianapolis Colts participates in training camp at Grand Park Sports Campus on July 29, 2023 in Westfield, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

3. Starting a rookie quarterback

Jim Irsay said a lot to minimize the importance of Jonathan Taylor to the Colts. He had no problem with vaguely hinting that the team will be fine without Taylor in the backfield, but he’s wrong. Anthony Richardson became the darling of the 2023 NFL Draft after a historic, jaw-dropping combine. He’s a quarterback with a rocket for an arm who’s a lot bigger and faster than Josh Allen (Bills).

Despite having a vet on the roster, Richardson will likely start in year one. Which makes sense given his baseline athletic traits will allow him to escape trouble and make plays early and often with his legs. We’ve seen this style either help a team win games early or help the quarterback in their development by giving them live reps in the regular season. However, if Taylor isn’t on the roster as the starting running back, it could hinder Richardson’s growth.

Read options will be the staple in an offense desperate for big plays. Taylor, when healthy, is one of the league’s best running backs. When he’s on the field, defenses know to key in on him. Consequently, it will leave wideouts with one-on-one coverage and easy one-read throws for Richardson. If he’s not behind Richardson, the Colts will rely on Zach Moss, a power runner who was average in Buffalo. There’s also rookie Evan Null and Jake Funk in the backfield.

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