9:45pm: The craziness continues straight out of the workhorse’s mouth as Taylor has weighed in himself on the recent reports, tweeting out that he “never had a back pain” and “never reported a back pain.”
This could be a case of reporters running amok with a story that got out of hand without confirmations or reliable sources. It could also be some damage control from Taylor, who likely realizes the financial ramifications of being placed on the NFI list.
If Taylor’s refutation is false, one would assume there would be medical records from the team’s training staff noting the back pain as a concern. And, in order to move him to the NFI list, one would assume there would need to be documentation detailing that it happened away from the team.
If Taylor never did report back pain, this could be an inside look at the tactics the team is willing to go to in order to gain leverage in a negotiation in which it already has all the power. Speculation aside, Taylor’s response through unmediated channels is further confirmation that this relationship may be deteriorating beyond repair. And fast.
8:30pm: In a wild continuation of a situation seemingly full of pettiness, the Colts have reportedly considered placing star running back Jonathan Taylor on the non-football injury list, according to Mike Chappell of FOX59/CBS4 Sports. Things have gotten rather contentious between Taylor and the organization lately, and if the team were to pull off this transaction, the situation would only get rockier. 
Taylor has been involved in the recent conversations pertaining to the decline of the running back market, and anticipating his future active role in the situation, Taylor made it clear that he wants to begin discussions on a new deal with Indianapolis. With team owner Jim Irsay making it clear that no extension offer has been made yet, nor does he have any current intention to offer an extension, Taylor formally requested a trade. Irsay has planted his heels in the ground, expecting Taylor to honor his rookie contract, but with no indication of good faith negotiations, Taylor felt the need to stay ahead of the eight ball.
Currently, Taylor is on the team’s physically unable to perform list. He’s still rehabilitating from an ankle surgery he underwent in January, and he came into training camp complaining of back pain. Because he began experiencing the back pain while working out on his own in Arizona, it was deemed to be a pre-existing issue, stemming from outside organized football activities. This grants the team the option of moving Taylor from the PUP list to the NFI list.
That may not seem super significant as you continue to see PUP and NFI placements here and there on our Minor NFL Transactions posts, but in a volatile situation in which money is a key point of contention, this move would be a clear escalation from the Colts’ brass. Once the season begins, if a player remains on the PUP list, the team continues to pay that player for time missed. If a player is instead on the NFI list, having suffered an injury away from team-organized events, the team is able to withhold any amount of pay it chooses, up to the player’s full base salary.
According to Nick Korte of OvertheCap.com, it may not end there. The current collective bargaining agreement reportedly “opens up a path for his contract to be tolled,” something only available for NFI players in a contract year. Taylor can avoid this by returning to action by the sixth game of the regular season. The CBA also “opens up a path (for Taylor) to fail to accrue a season in 2023.” This would mean that, instead of entering the offseason as an unrestricted free agent, he would be a restricted free agent.
Moving Taylor to the NFI becomes an immediate message to the young running back: Not only are we not sure we want to pay you in the future, we’re not even sure we want to pay you now. A year removed from having led the NFL in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns, it seems insane to be this dismissive to a player asking to work towards a future together. The team has yet to make the move, but it’s become clear that the two sides are nowhere near a path that leads to resolution anytime soon.
Regardless of one’s thoughts on this situation, Irsay is such a clown.
I actually like Irsay. As a Colts fan, it’s great to have an owner that wants to win.
Is it great to have an owner that wants to win so badly that he meddles in player personnel decisions and forces bad trades that hold the team back? Seems like it would be better if he was apathetic, honestly.
The Colts were 1-9 last year under Coach Irsay.
Prior to that they were 3-3-1 and had defeated the Chiefs and playoffs-bound Jaguars.
And prior to that they ruined the career of a generational talent at QB with terrible roster management.
I wouldn’t have thought an owner could be as childish as this, but after his most recent rants, I wouldn’t be surprised if he did this out of spite.
Sorry Jonathan Taylor, you’re expendable now. Your Colts just drafted a new RB at #4.
Correct and by November 2024, co-coaches Saturday and Irsay (Steichen has quit) will unveil a redefining offense featuring two QBs – Richardson and Caleb Williams. This will be inspired by Irsay’s new found knowledge of flex-fantasy football…
Kidding
Free agents – all of them, not just RBs will notice this.
This might be perceived by some as being hostile as retribution tool – and not simply acknowledging the market. There could be widespread perception this is one step further, an active aggressive move as opposed to passive non-tendering a contract.
I don’t have to be right about this, its just a thought.
Free agents will look for money, this won’t affect them slightly, RBs need to understand that amazing wide receivers were underpayed for 40 years so RBs could have the big contracts, analytics caught up, these RBs have no leg to stand on, guaranteed a later than 3rd round RB rushes for 1000 this season and is an effective member of a team
I don’t think that’s fully true. If it gets to the point where Irsay is trying to toll his contract then I don’t see the players taking well to that. If the money is close, it would be pretty easy to go with Owner X rather than Irsay.
/\ this guy understood the post.
Sure, money matters, it matters alot.
But the organization reputation matters to. If you see an organization playing ticky tack retaliation for something like demanding a trade – players and agents know.
It doesn’t have to be true 100 percent of the time, circumstances matter for each FA, but to say that an organization’s reputation doesn’t matter is to far the other way I think.
Its a business to players and teams, as much as we would like to believe every decision is purely for love of the fame.
“We can win more headlines than football games!”
– Jim Irsay
Unfortunate timing. You have a contract that has nothing to do with the current market narrative.
Honor it or don’t.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Irsay is telling all of the NFL players not to work out on their own, ok. Why work out on your own, if you’ll get docked pay?
If he worked out in Indy he would be covered.
Many players don’t live in the state that they play in. But they still have to work out. What Jim is doing is a crock.
They tried to get him to work out in Indy. He chose to go to AZ and apparently hurt himself.
Well. That’s one way to scare players away from coming to play in Indy.
First they turn on Wentz
Now they’re turning on Taylor
Really makes Indy a very unpopular destination for free agents.
At this point it’s probably for the best for Taylor to just retire after the season, when your playing for a petty jack ass of an owner, Taylor needs to keep his dignity and self respect and get out while he can.
And give away millions? Likely not happening.
This isn’t Walmart. he’s making millions that he’s not just gonna walk away from for his pride. Heck, I believe everyone here would deal with this circus for half of what Taylor is paid.
JT needs to cut the crap and play. When he’s a free agent he can pick his new team.
I’m not sure you can put all that on the player when the owner is a complete jacka$$.
If this were the Nba. Not only could he not practice, or play out his contract.
But he could also demand a trade.
And demand the specific team he wanted to be traded to.
Then his preferred team would contact his current team immediately. Knowing that they had leverage going forward in a trade.
Where’s Ballard in all of this?
The answer; probably working with his agent on getting a new job…
What good professional would need this plutonium dumpster fire?
I guess Irsay suddenly thinks Taylor never got the shot.
As someone who isn’t a fan of the Colts or Taylor, I think this is great on Irsays part. Too many of these athletes these days feel they have total control over situations like this, and I think it’s awesome that Irsay steps up and doesn’t take any of JT’s crap! You have a contract, play it through and get what you possibly can next season. So many of these guys get away with sitting out until they get what they want. Sorry man, it’s a contract and you are expected to perform chief! Now next season when you are no longer contractually obligated, tell Irsay to go to **** and go get what your think you’re worth!
Got to go both ways on the contract situation! How many free agents sign 3 year deals and get released after the first season. Owners don’t honor their side of the contract either.
That is the issue @Bigd93. Contracts mean nothing in the NFL. The team can cut you if it feels that a player is underperforming a contract and in response players demand more money when they feel they are outperforming their contract. If the contracts actually meant “contract” the NFL would not have this problem.
Name me one real life big boy job where if you aren’t performing you are cut loose with pay. Welcome to real life! Perform to what’s expected or don’t let the door hit you on the way out. We coddle million dollar athletes like their children. They know what they signed before they signed it.
‘How many free agents sign 3 year deals and get released after the first season.’
Yeah but if you’re still owed money then your still paid. If you sign a 3 year deal with no guaranteed money past year 1 that’s on the agent. And once again, they read the contract, signed it, and now wanna complain? Please.
Apparently you haven’t heard of the CEO’s parachute deals. You asked for one big boy job where you get paid when you’re cut loose. Asked and answered
Which that CEO signed the contract that probably offered severance pay, unlike NFL RBs…
“Name me one real life big boy job where if you aren’t performing you are cut loose with pay.”
…MLB
Once again, it’s blatantly in their contract. That’s the agents fault for not negotiating in such manner. If Kirk Cousins or Deshaun Watson are cut they’re guaranteed, because they negotiated that…..
….
Not complaining. Asking for a raise. Name one job where you can’t ask for a raise if you are over performing?? Problem is wanting it both ways. Team wants to cut a player for underperforming, but not renegotiate a raise if a player is over performing. Who is the baby in that situation??
Did Taylor over perform? Just about every statistic went south for him. Personally, idc who the Colts pay, when they pay them, how much they pay. RBs have to realize they just aren’t really important. They play a volatile position that is based more off the guy handing you the ball or the 5 guys blocking for you than your own personal skill. A guy like Taylor was amazing when the O-Line was healthy, and 1/4 the RB he was when they weren’t. Who’s the real important factor there?
I don’t know if any player is outperforming their contract. My point is that it is ok for any worker/employee to ask for a raise if/when they fell that they are. That doesn’t mean the answer is always yes. I’m suggesting that the act of asking isn’t being a “baby” and that the “shut up and play” mentality isn’t what the NFL has set up.
I mean I agree you gave the right to ask for a raise, yet you’re employer also has that right to tell you no. And when they do you can deal with it like a man and tough it out or get a new job. We don’t all send company wide emails crying why we need paid and why we’re so much more important than everyone else, a la Jon Taylor. Who chose to speak up and got shut down. Irsay signs the checks, if he doesn’t like it Walmart is hiring.
You can’t compare sports to real life jobs. If you’re an auto mechanic for a Ford dealership and you want a raise, if management says no, then you can go to another Ford dealership and possibly make more money. NFL Players can’t do that. You say they have a contract? Tell that to Joe Mixon, Darvin Cook and the others
Precisely! Enough with all this “he has a contract” junk. The NFL can cut you whenever they damn well please but you can’t just say I’m done playing for Indy now, I’m asking the Broncos what they’ll pay me. The players don’t have the right to just up and quit. The NFL has a monopoly on the players. Anybody on here old enough to understand the AFL-NFL player wars? How about the ABA-NBA player wars? Any time there is competition, the good ‘ol boys shut it down so players can’t just walk. It was hard enough for players to win free agency. I’m not some crazy labor union wacko but the elites seek power and control and refuse to give it up. None of the sports leagues have the freedom to leave a job if they don’t like it like we do. But, in turn, they get paid millions of dollars for giving that up. Ironically, if there was TRUE free agency, prices (contracts) would be lower. Why? Competition for labor! BUT the dumb ass idiots who own sports franchises don’t understand that concept.
Joe Mixon had the chance to not restructure, and if they cut him he would be paid what he was contractually owed. The contract he signed, knowing the risks…. Once again IDC that’s on him @ time of signing.
I never said it wasn’t on him but you make it out like it’s an equal arrangement. The owners hate guaranteed contracts except if it benefits them. NFL contracts should be guaranteed or at least a major slice of them. Again, the owners expect what they’re not willing to accept
As do the players though. They voted for this CBA, each an every one of them. They could’ve fought for no franchise tag, guaranteed contracts, all of these things they claim to want they could’ve fought for when the time was there. The time has passed and now they’re crying about what they should have done in 2020. That’s on them, and until March of 2030 they got to deal with it. Once again, this is real life. Not Madden.
Yes contracts should be more guaranteed, but that’s on the NFLPA and the players for not negotiating strong enough. No one to blame but themselves, though it easier to blame the owner like everyone wants to. You’re not wrong in the sense they probably should get more guaranteed money, but then they should be smart enough to negotiate for that, not moan and complain after the fact. (and after a season where the main player complaining is coming off career worsts in every single statistic further proving his O-Line was 110% more important in the teams rushing production.)
Again nobody is arguing that it’s against the contract. That’s why I have no sympathy for teams that are angry over the Watson contract or their Lamar held out. More power to those guys. Owners have been doing it to cities and municipalities for years. Time they get theirs
Agreed, if you want it do what a guy like Lamar did and play your hand. The issue for 95% of these guys is they don’t have the resume to back up their demands. A guy like Taylor hasn’t really done much to be pointing fingers and demanding money. They’ve never made the playoffs with him, he’s only gotten worse, and quite frankly he’s an obvious deeebag. Who wants to invest in that?
Yea for the colts to franchise tag him at the only position the franchise tag has decreased value in. Greedy players!
Yes that was sarcasm. Yes you are an idiot.
Not sure what Bob is trying to do there in Indy, but I’d take note if I was a free agent and before even playing one game for them, Anthony Richardson might want to take note as well.
Waiting for the RB Coalition to chime in from the RB Summit…
Everyone is always picking sides..I think both guys are coming off as petty immature fools. For Irsay, this is nothing new. He isn’t wrong this time tho. Taylor was clearly being given leeway about his injury situation..act like an idiot and you lose that leeway. Nothing wrong with the Colts holding him accountable for where his injury occurred since he’s no longer interested in being part of the team. Or maybe Taylor faked that injury as a way to not practice. Think we’re gonna find out.
Yeah makes we are a team and family a hard sell.
Worst owner in football, even before Snyder’s ouster.
Taylor: I’m Underpaid
Irsay : We’re not talking contract right now
Taylor : Trade me
Irsay : No
Taylor : Fine I’ll keep crying to the media
Irsay : Well fine I own you so I’ll just put you on NFI I call the shots.
Taylor : *sigh*
Exactly! Yes, Irsay is a douche canoe, but Taylor is the one who started all of this by demanding a new contract and then requesting a trade when being told that wouldn’t be discussed right now.
They’re both entitled pricks, but JT pretty much got what he asked for when he started this.
Play out the contract YOO signed you big baby. To many of these pampered man-babies think they can ring more cash from these owners by sitting out. If you go to court you’ll lose, because YOU signed a contract to play for X amount of dollars and unless it was signed under duress you are legally bound to play under that contract. Take the money and play, or retire and use the degree in Tiddlywinks you got from the college you played for to earn a living.
Irsay probably high as hell during the conversation. His crap band is touring the US. His ego is huge. His talent minimal. He makes the Redskins previous ownership look likable.
How he hasn’t been indicted for supplying drugs that lead to his Girlfriend’s death isn’t a mystery just a travesty.
I’m more of an NBA fan than NFL, but it’s crazy the difference in leverage the players and owners play to win the negotiations
Like this should such as easy transaction. Indy has one of the best RBs in the league and rightfully he should get paid somewhere around that 12mil mark…
But instead of just a simple negotiation behind closed doors you have all these threats and rumours swirling and in a matter of a month or so you might have a player sitting out a season.
Its not like JT can just play well and wait out the season then hit the market either cause if he did that then the team just franchise tags you and you have no choice but to stay. If you chose to sit out then you drastically hurt your value and there seems to be this collective team owners thing where if you do them dirty they keep you out the league. It’s really a lose lose situation and unfortunately it’s the RBs that always get the worst treatment.
I don’t understand, if things are really this bad between the two parties why not just trade him to someone who values him and is willing to commit the big money to him…..
Imagine trading him for 2 first round picks and then grabbing Dalvin Cook off the FA market for a fraction of the price. Similar production although much older and you bank 2 first round picks which would be great business….