Advancing this saga to another stage, the Colts have allowed Jonathan Taylor‘s camp to look for a trade partner. This comes weeks after Jim Irsay said the former rushing champion would not be traded.
Teams are looking into this situation. Multiple clubs have inquired about Taylor, Stephen Holder and Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com report. Real interest has emerged, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com indicated (video link). The Colts want a first-round pick or a picks package that meets that value, though the team is seeking a slightly better haul than the one the Panthers received for Christian McCaffrey.
Carolina fetched 2023 second-, third- and fourth-round picks, along with a 2024 fifth, from the 49ers for the dual-threat dynamo. Early indications around the league do not point to the Colts doing that well, were they to trade Taylor. Of the AFC and NFC execs polled by SI.com’s Albert Breer, none said Taylor will bring back more than a single Day 2 pick. Some believe a second-rounder is possible; others lowered expectations to a third-rounder as the deal’s centerpiece. Fowler noted another exec suggested a Day 2 pick would be in play. No RB has fetched a first-round pick since the Colts acquired Trent Richardson from the Browns in 2013; McCaffrey is the only back to land a second-rounder in that span.
If the Colts’ early stance is to be believed, they would likely hold onto their fourth-year back if these were the best offers to emerge. McCaffrey (four 600-plus-yard receiving seasons, with two years north of 800 yards) is a more versatile back than Taylor, though the latter is three years younger — at 24 — and has a less notable injury history. Last year’s ankle trouble marked Taylor’s first known injury as a pro or during his Wisconsin tenure. But the problem is either still lingering or Taylor is using this as leverage to avoid returning to practice amid this standoff.
The prospect of another team giving Taylor a big-ticket extension has slowed interest. No team has authorized even a $10MM-per-year RB deal since the Browns extended Nick Chubb (three years, $36.6MM) in July 2021. And this year has obviously brought a difficult series of events for the position, with Taylor voicing his frustration about the offseason developments. Upon returning to the Colts’ facility as a non-camp participant, Taylor’s attitude has changed. He has also twice left the facility — once due to his ankle injury and later due to a personal matter — since the team placed him on the active/PUP list.
The Colts have until August 29, when 53-man rosters must be set, to make a call on Taylor’s status. If Indianapolis leaves Taylor on the PUP list, he transfers to the reserve/PUP and must miss the season’s first four games. The Colts can move Taylor to their 53-man unit, going week to week with their disgruntled back. That would require the team to give Taylor an injury designation each week in practice. From a player’s perspective, Jalen Ramsey provided a blueprint for this route in 2019. Seeking a trade, the Jaguars cornerback did not practice fully due to myriad reasons, two of them being back issues and the birth of his daughter. Upon being traded to the Rams, the All-Pro cornerback returned to the field.
After Irsay criticized running backs for holding Zoom meetings about their situation, he met one-on-one with Taylor and made other comments that did not help this situation. When asked about Taylor on Monday night, the longtime Colts owner said GM Chris Ballard will “work hard to calm the waters.”
The Dolphins, who have inquired about multiple backs via trade this year, are believed to be interested. Even after cutting Ezekiel Elliott and not replacing him, the Cowboys are not. Jerry Jones said (via the Fort Worth Star-Telgram’s Clarence Hill) he is “very comfortable” with Dallas’ Tony Pollard backups.
Inquiring maybe, but who is going to compensate the Colts with draft picks/players and pay JT?
Maybe Miami, but I do not think it will happen. Perhaps the Dolphins can use Cedrick Wilson Jr. as a trade piece. Miami doesn’t need Wilson and the Colts could use another WR.
Taylor is probably asking for a similar or greater contract extension than the one received by McCaffrey. The Colts have wisely allowed him to seek a trade package, equal or greater to the one received for McCaffrey. When Taylor can not find a suitor to deliver on this price, the Colts will offer Taylor an extension below what San Fran has paid McCaffrey. The saga will then continue with Taylor running out of options
He’s franchise tagged. Can’t offer extension until next year
No, he is not franchise tagged. Taylor has one year remaining on his rookie contract.
He doesn’t need to call Chicago. The Bears are quite happy with their Cap situation and their RB room. Plus there are about to be really good RB’s available next Tuesday a lot cheaper.
The Buccaneers should be all over this
The Bucs are going to need their draft picks in the coming years to rebuild the roster. They have no chance to win the SB this season, adding JT would be a waste of resources.
I am not sure about that
I am
Well good for you
Buccs should be all over it, if the cost is giving up Chris Godwin and maybe a 4th
Buccs passing game ain’t going to be enough to get it done without Brady there and now using Baker. If you were to get JT then the offence can then run through him and when called upon Baker and Mike Evans probably can make do.
The o line in front of JT would definitely hold and give him gaps. The defence is still solid.
It would be somewhat similar to the titans.
JT doing the Derrick Henry role, Baker doing the Tannehill role and Mike Evans being the AJ Brown. But you’d have a better o line and defence that the titians.
Statistically Taylor compares more favorably to CMC for rushing when considering their time in league. CMC blows Taylor away when looking at receiving.
It is comical that the Colts don’t want to pay Taylor because he’s just a running back, yet he suddenly has immense value for trade compensation. If you applied the Irsay logic of pay value to trade, they’d take a 3rd round pick and swap 4ths two years later.
Great point!
According to the story-there’s real interest in trading for him. However, no teams are willing to meet the Colts trade comp demands. Also, no team is willing to throw a huge contract at him.
So…in other words, there’s no real interest and this story was totally pointless.
And yet you felt the story was important enough to leave a comment…lol.
Hunter Renfroe , 2nd rd pick for Taylor. Non tender Jacobs move on. Who says no?
If they aren’t going to pay Jacobs why would they pay Taylor? Plus giving up assets would be dumb for the same problem with a different name. Just Pay Jacobs if you want to do something stupid and get it out of your system.
Nobody seems to be troubled by the fact that he had a high ankle injury that hasn’t yet healed enough to enable him to practice/play. An injury/surgery that should have been in the rear view mirror months ago…
Don’t forget he has a bad back as well. Irsay said that a week or so ago.
Buccs give up Godwin and idk a 3rd round pick
Buccs try make their own copy of the titans.
Baker JT and Mike Evans instead of Tannehill Henry and AJ Brown. Not to mention Buccs have a better line and better defence. No point having two really good receivers if your QB ain’t him. JT can carry the bulk of the offence and when called upon Balker can deliver to Evans.
Colts on the other hand have a running QB and only 1 good reviver who is young in Pitman. Godwin would be a solid WR1 and give young Richardson two good targets. To throw to when he isn’t running the ball.
On top of that because of the market, Buccs save money going from a highly paid WR to a top tier RB even with an extension and Colts probably end up costing themselves more money.