Jonathan Taylor’s Relationship With Colts May Be Worse Than Feared, ESPN Reporter Says

The star running back remains at odds with the organization as he enters the final year of his rookie contract.

With Jonathan Taylor and the Colts still far apart on talks of an extension, the star running back’s return to Indianapolis remains firmly up in the air as his relationship with team brass reportedly continues to sour.

Taylor, who’s entering the final year of his rookie deal, has been one of several star backs engaged in an ongoing dispute with management over a new contract this offseason. On Friday and Saturday, ESPN’s Stephen Holder offered some insight on where things stand between Taylor and the Colts, sharing on Twitter that “things seem to be unraveling and that everything is on the table right now.”

Holder also addressed what could be next for Taylor during a Friday appearance on SportsCenter, in light of Colts owner Jim Irsay’s admission on Thursday that the team hasn’t offered the soon-to-be free agent a contract.

Said Holder, “That’s the key question because, if they’re not going to offer him an extension, and every indication, so far, demonstrates that they are not. And, so, if that’s not going to happen, then what you have is a very disenchanted player who’s very central to the Colts’ hopes. … it really does beg the question, ‘Is a separation in the cards?’”

In a follow-up tweet on Saturday morning, Holder offered another bleak update to a fan suggesting the relationship isn’t as bad as reported. 

“It’s much worse than you think,” wrote Holder.

I’m not predicting that Jonathan Taylor will be traded. But I’m also telling you that things between him and the Colts seem to be unraveling and that everything is on the table right now. My take from tonight’s @SportsCenter: pic.twitter.com/8HpEmVZN4X

— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) July 29, 2023

Given the nature of the latest reports, it appears Taylor’s absence from the Colts could continue for the foreseeable future, especially considering his agent’s concerning comments on the state of his relationship with the club.

In addition to his contract, Taylor will hope to make a statement in 2023 after being limited to 11 games in 2022 with a high ankle sprain. The 24-year-old’s health will also remain a hot topic of discussion after he was placed the Physically Unable to Perform list prior to the start of training camp due to his ongoing recovery from offseason ankle surgery.