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.
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.
2. No trade value
The running back position is in an awkward position t the moment. We have a few runningbacks looking for a big payday. , like Tony Pollard, Josh Jacobs, Saquan Barkley, and free agent Dalvin Cook. Saquon opted to take $4 million to stay with his team with no real promise of a contract. Meanwhile, Dalvin Cook is searching for a new team with rumors pitting him in the AFC East, particularly the Dolphins or Jets. Taylor’s recent demand for a trade added his name to a list of guys that aren’t happy with their current situation. There’s nothing he can do about it.
After leading the league in every major rushing category in 2021. Taylor put the Colts on his back with 332 carries, 1,811 yards, 18 touchdowns, 5.5 yards per carry, and 106 yards per game. Unfortunately, he followed up with a disappointing 2022 season where he averaged just 78 yards per game, and his yards per carry suffered (4.5). He also suffered an ankle injury that kept him sidelined for 6/17 games.
Teams will use his down season as a way to lowball the Colts. They won’t get any more than a Day 2 pick for a guy who is a one-year rental and coming off an injury. Need proof? Look no further than the Giants, who shut down the Miami Dolphins’ trade request for Saquon Barkley. Dalvin Cook couldn’t find a trade partner — neither could Austin Ekler. Taylor is stuck for at least one more season.
1. Taylor has to show up to get paid
Before this X beef started, Taylor’s agent allegedly stated the former second-round pick requested a trade. The reason is simple, more money and a long-term deal. As I’ve discussed in the previous slide, the Colts can’t get anything in return for Jonathan Taylor, even if they wanted to trade him. Jim Irsay made it clear, he has no interest in doing so. Still, he could change his mind at some point before the trade deadline. For either to happen, Taylor has to be on the field in week one of the 2023 NFL Season.
Taylor can decide to sit out and take his chances, but we’ve seen how that plays out. Look at LeVeon Bell, who decided to sit out a season to prove a point that he was worth more. He ended up signing for less than he would have, and his career was short-lived. Bell’s case was a cautionary tale, an example of what running backs can’t do. Unfortunately, the NFL doesn’t value the running position.
The Colt traded up for Taylor, and he’s been nothing short of fantastic for a team that’s been a disappointment since Andrew Luck retired. What’s worse, is Taylor could play, ball out, and it will only earn him the franchise tag creating the next chapter of this ongoing story.