The Indianapolis Colts reportedly threatened former Wisconsin Badgers star running back Jonathan Taylor with the NFI list earlier in training camp. They changed their tune with a few weeks to go before the regular season.
Relations between Taylor and Colts went sour this summer after the athlete requested a new contract for more money. Per Robin Adams with WSH Media, Colts owner Jim Irsay met with Taylor in late July. Taylor requested a trade following their interaction:
Former Wisconsin Badgers running back Jonathan Taylor has requested a trade away from the team that drafted him, the Indianapolis Colts. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network broke the news on Twitter (now X) this evening
Taylor met with team owner Jim Irsay following Irsay’s controversial statement regarding running backs and their value. Apparently, a face-to-face meeting did nothing to make Taylor feel good about playing for Irsay and the Colts.
Irsay said ridiculous things publicly this summer after reports became public about Taylor’s request. Irsay said no one in the NFL world would miss himself or Taylor if they died this summer before the season.
Taylor has not been at the Colts training camp this summer. And after Irsay’s comments, the Colts owner lucky anyone on the roster showed up to camp at all. On Monday, something changed in the Colts’ handling of the trade matter with Taylor.
Former Wisconsin Badgers RB Jonathan Taylor gets request granted from Indianapolis Colts
According to Ian Rapoport with the NFL Network, the Colts have granted Taylor’s request to seek a trade. General manager’s around the NFL are aware Taylor is on the trade market.
Sources: The #Colts have given star RB Jonathan Taylor permission to seek a trade, and conversations to find potential landing spots are ongoing. Several GMs and talent evaluators were informed earlier today that Taylor is available. pic.twitter.com/RSrgaszhnj
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 21, 2023
What happens next is unclear. Taylor’s trade value isn’t super high right now. He’s in the last year of his rookie contract and had a very public spat with an NFL owner.
We’ll see if the Colts can find a trade partner for Taylor.
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