Could Jonathan Taylor Request A Trade From The Indianapolis Colts?
Running Backs have been the talk of the town this off-season as they sound off about their market value. You had Austin Ekeler voice how he believes he is underpaid, Saquon Barkley was going to sit out before signing his one-year deal, but it all really began with Miles Sanders saying it sucks to be a running back right now. Now the focus has centered around Jonathan Taylor as he is the next biggest running back who is not under contract. With their relationship potentially on the fence, could he request a trade from the Colts?
It’s hard to believe that Jonathan Taylor could potentially be out of Indianapolis after the recent years he has had. During his time with the Colts, he has rushed for 3,841 yards and 33 touchdowns. He had a stellar 2021 with over 1,800 yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground. At the time, many were of the opinion he could be the best back in football. However, last year was marred by an ankle injury and a struggling offense where he saw his stats drop significantly.
Stephen Holder, who works at ESPN and covers the Colts, appeared on SportsCenter earlier this year and said, “You see why guys start to demand trades.” Full quote via ProFootballTalk
Obviously, if Jonathan Taylor does actually request a trade, it doesn’t 100% mean he will get one. He really has no leverage in the situation. The Colts have all the say in regard to a trade. The Colts drafted Taylor in the second round, so he does not come with a fifth-year option, and with him being in the last year of his deal, in theory, he could sit out until free agency. But I can’t imagine he would have the market he would be expecting next off-season.
Taylor is in a lose-lose situation right now. His owner making things worse for the running back market also doesn’t help his cause. Even if Jim Irsay claims his comments made weren’t about his own running back, it’s hard to believe because that’s just who he is.
There is no clear answer here for Jonathan Taylor, so he might as well go out and show the Colts what he is worth. With a great year, it would be the ultimate middle finger to the organization on the way out if he decides to leave in 2024.
