The Colts had reportedly set August 29 — the day when teams were required to finalize their 53-man rosters — as the deadline to trade running back Jonathan Taylor. It was clear, however, that roster cutdown day was merely a “loose” deadline that was set in the hopes of expeditiously resolving a difficult situation for a maximum return.
Unsurprisingly, trade talks involving Taylor are likely to resume, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Taylor is presently on the PUP list and is therefore required to miss the first four games of the season, but sources tell Rapoport and ESPN’s Adam Schefter that Taylor is healthy and could pass a physical today if he were required to do so. As such, the contract-year back plans to be ready to play as soon as Week 5, when he is first eligible to take the field.
According to Rapoport, there remains a possibility that Taylor will again suit up for the Colts, but the odds of that happening are slim. After all, the rift between player and team formed when Indianapolis refused Taylor’s request for an extension this offseason, and there is nothing to indicate that the club’s stance in that regard will change.
Instead, it seems more plausible that Taylor will be traded. In order for that to happen, the Colts may need to reduce their asking price, which was reportedly either a first-round pick or a package similar to what the 49ers paid for Christian McCaffrey last year. During their trade talks with the Dolphins, Indy is believed to have asked about Miami wideout Jaylen Waddle, and Schefter notes that the team targeted promising second-year receiver Christian Watson in its conversations with the Packers (via ESPN’s Stephen Holder).
Rapoport writes that Green Bay offered two mid-round picks in exchange for Taylor — for whom it was willing to authorize a top-of-the-market contract — though he says the club is now out of the running. The Dolphins, who were also prepared to pay top dollar for Taylor, remain a viable landing spot. As the first few weeks of the season unfold, of course, it is also quite possible that other clubs will enter the mix.
The Bears and Broncos were rumored as potential suitors at the end of last month. This year’s trade deadline is October 31.
The Colts are the NFL version of the Rockies
As a die hard of both teams, the Rockies are 5000x more pathetic than the Colts. Not a good comparison
Colts need new management in the front office
Why? Because Taylor won’t honor his contract? Or because they won’t give him away for less than what they want? Or is it something unrelated to this article?
because the team sucks. might have 5 good players on the team. they draft a qb and just took his best weapon away. because the owner is an idiot
Why wouldn’t the Packers be involved? Jones limped off the field yesterday in the opener. Looked like at least a 4 week Hammy pull. He could of just got tired running free against Alan Williams defense. Worst DC in football. He played the same defense strategy the whole game. After the 3rd play of the second half I watched the race. Zero blitzes, Zero pressure, Made Jordan Love look like Patrick Mahomes. Oh crap we have to play Mahomes in 2 weeks.
What kind of stats will he put up? Eberflus better wise up that hiring your friends is a bad idea. Williams has ZERO imagination.
Play. Your. Deal.
These boys are full grown babies.
He’s in a contract year on a shit team that he knows will have no offense other than him, so defenses will shut him down completely, resulting in shit stat products by him, and lowering his value on the open market this offseason.
It’s a business decision, and a smart one.
Yeah that smart business deal worked out great for Leveon Bell.
He has stupid people advising him. It’s a terrible move.
Not even remotely close to a fair comparison; Bell had a history of injuries, failed drug tests and failed physicals. His body was breaking down, and he was having off the field issues, which he and his agent knew. As a result, they tried to get him as much money as possible on one last big contract, but unfortunately for them both, NFL teams didn’t bite on a long-term high dollar deal.
Don’t you think NFL general managers are smart enough to know this?
Only fans and fantasy football people care about statistics.
yea but if he doesn’t play up to the contract. the team can cut him and not honor the contract? typical dumb fan
Those stipulations are surely in the contract he signed (language endorsed by the players union).
Frank, if he gets cut he gets paid the amount he agreed on in the event he was cut.
You are in fact the typical dumb fan.
Players agree on a guaranteed amount of money in the event of a great season, bad season, injury, trade, or release. These parameters are agreed on when the deal was signed.
Educate yourself kid.
Yet teams will intentionally sit guys during the season to avoid them reaching certain incentives and avoid guaranteed money. Raiders benched Carr last season cause had he been injured his contract would have been guaranteed going forward. Missing 2 games I’m sure he also missed out on inventive language in his contract.
Also no. Teams aren’t honoring the contract if a player is cut prior to the end of the contract.
When a player signs a deal they include things like roster bonus where player get x amount for being on the roster by a certain date. Cutting a player before said date isn’t honoring the contract they agreed to. Teams routinely cut guys prior to roster bonuses kicking in to avoid paying them because the money becomes guaranteed on that date.
Cutting a guy 2 years into a 5 year deal for instance isn’t honoring the contract the team agreed to as well as the player that said they’d be paid x amount on this date.
Roster and workpit bonuses are non guaranteed money which is known prior to signing the deal. Unearned bonuses based on play are just that, unearned.
If you sign a deal knowing that these clauses exist it is your own fault or your representation’s fault.
If you want a shorter deal with more guarantee like Cousins, take it. Plenty of guys have made big money on short deals with big guarantees.
Every single facet of a contract is laid bare prior to the ink going on the paper. If you don’t want the deal or what could happen due to the language in the deal, do not sign it. Otherwise, be a man of your word and play your deal.
Missed the point entirely.
Teams don’t honor contracts. Teams promised to pay these players roster bonuses. By cutting them prior to the dates the team isn’t honoring the contract agreed to by both parties. Which is fine. But lets not act like teams honor contracts while players don’t. Both sides don’t honor the contract.
LOL…the irony of YOU telling someone they’re a “typical dumb fan.”
Ok, so the Colts cut him. You JUST read the article about how at LEAST 2 teams we willing to trade assets AND make him the highest paid RB.
So, he’d STILL get paid from the Colts at the very least and then be a FA.
The teams honor the guarantees in the contract which the players sign willingly
Browns got money but I doubt they’d go for him. Make the bears can trade claypool and a couple late rounds for him
The Browns absolutely do not have money now that Watsons contract is on the books.
Watson’s contract has been on the books for a year now and they lead the league in cap space.
It’s very possible that it will hurt them down the line because they reworked a bunch of contracts to get there, but to say they don’t have money right now is totally wrong.
No team..including browns are not going to give up draft picks and possible players for Taylor for only just remainder of year. Would want a multiple year contract. Browns do have money this year but starting 2024 the big salary and hits start. You can Google it. The Watson signing will really start hitting them then.
I’m a Browns fan so I’m already well aware but I just mean that they could swing that if they really wanted to. I don’t see the need and I’d rather roll over the cap space they have now to make it easier for next year (and keep the picks), but if they wanted him badly enough they could maneuver the cap to make it happen. I wouldn’t do it either, but it’s possible.
Eventually they’ll pay the price for it, but they don’t seem to care about that right now.
Browns have a good chunk of cap open now tho
For only this year.
Why would the Browns need him? They already have the best back in the league
Hence why I mentioned doubt. They don’t need him
Yeah, it’s doubtful that the Chiefs tried to get Rodgers this summer.
Indy is dysfunctional. Irsay just can’t stay away from managing the team. Teams with poor ownership always lose. Chargers, Raiders, DC (w/ Dan), Chicago, Detroit, Indy now.
The problem is that poor ownership doesn’t result in any penalty. You go 0-16 and you get the same revenue share as the owner who did a good job and finished 13-3. You get the same cap salary allowance and you actually get rewarded for being lousy with a higher position in the next draft.
And you get high draft picks which breeds media attention. It’s a win-win even losing.
Unfortunately there is no law against being rich and a horrible NFL team owner. If there was Daniel Snyder would just be getting released from Leavenworth.
I can understand GB, and basically any team, being interested/intrigued. I didn’t really see the fit with the Packers though. Unless I’m misunderstanding or completely missing something regarding their cap situation next year, acquiring and then paying Taylor seems out of the realm of possibility.
The on-field fit is another thing. Acquire and pay Taylor, with Jones and Dillon already there. I suspect both would be a bit unhappy losing snaps to another guy. Nevermind the money side of it all.
The price is now 2 first round picks! We are very serious about this trade!
– Colts (factitiously, although maybe not. probably)
JT is fragile and not worth top RB money. He’s proving his “worth” on the PUP list.
The Buccaneers!!!
The thing is, when can he be ready?
He hasn’t played in his long?
Running backs can be like pitchers, they need Spring Training
The Baltimore Ravens should be entering this conversation now that Dobbins is out for the season
You’re right they should, but they will probably just roll w/bringing the fumble machine Melvin Gordon off the PS
I didn’t miss a thing. If it is not in the contract the player cannot be upset about it.
If you agree to a roster bonus that is not guaranteed and you get cut who is at fault?
Must be the team according to your line of thought.
If you want a bonus to be guaranteed then work it into the deal or end up having it be potentially unearned due to a team maneuver.
The team agrees to pay a roster bonus for every week you’re on the roster. If you get cut you won’t receive the bonus. It’s that simple and it’s known ahead of time prior to signing.
Your roster spot is not guaranteed, money you agreed to in a contract that says it is guaranteed is. I can’t make this any easier for you to comprehend.
After Michael Pittman’s performance Sunday; I’d go ahead & do his extension now; further illustrating to Taylor what good things can happen if you just quit whining & go to work.
Arty! – poor ownership? Indy’s record in last 25 years is 234-151-1 w/ 2 SB appearances, 1 SB title., 10 division titles, & 17 playoff appearances. And you dare to compare them to the Bears & the Lions! Looks like egg on your face, or is that birdshit?