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:
Sources: #Colts star RB Jonathan Taylor has formally requested a trade after meeting with owner Jim Irsay. pic.twitter.com/BH7dhZAzUD
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 30, 2023
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.
What Indianapolis Colts Owner Jim Irsay Said to Upset Jonathan Taylor
The NFL has seen a floodgate of running backs speaking out against the unfairness of their value to teams after three star running backs: Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, and Tony Pollard, were all franchise tagged by their respective teams. Additionally, Dalvin Cook was released by the Minnesota Vikings after four consecutive Pro Bowl seasons.
Aaron Jones of the Green Bay Packers, too, was in attendance at a Zoom meeting for NFL running backs hosted by Las Angeles Chargers star Austin Eckler. Jones took a pay cut to stay with the Packers this offseason, but the fact that he had to do so exemplifies how little organizations value the position.
Of all 31 NFL owners, Irsay has been the most outspoken in terms of supporting the organizations’ dealings with their running backs. He recently posted this message on Twitter, drawing a great deal of blowback from fans:
NFL Running Back situation- We have negotiated a CBA,that took years of effort and hard work and compromise in good faith by both sides..to say now that a specific Player category wants another negotiation after the fact,is inappropriate. Some Agents are selling ‘bad faith’..
— Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) July 26, 2023
Taylor, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract, obviously took exception to Irsay’s post. Widely considered one of the top running backs in the NFL, Taylor is looking for a big payday after the 2023 season. Irsay’s comments, and whatever he said in their meeting, must have convinced Taylor he will not get that in Indianapolis.
The former Wisconsin Badgers running back led the NFL with 1,811 rushing yards and 18 rushing touchdowns in 2021, his second year in the league. He finished second in Offensive Player of the Year voting and was named a First Team All-Pro and made his first Pro Bowl.
Last season, Taylor was on his way to another monster season, but was limited to 11 games due to injury. Still, he was able to rack up 861 rushing yards and four touchdowns for the lowly Colts.
Due to this being Taylor’s last year in his contract, his trade value is not very high. It is too early to say what teams may be in the running for him, but the Colts’ best-case scenario is to get multiple teams in a bidding war.
More likely than not, though, teams will use Irsay’s stance against him and the Colts will sell low.
For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content
Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19 and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here!
