Colts Won't Just Give Jonathan Taylor Away, Indy Needs Good Return, Per Report

Finding a suitable trade destination may not be an easy task for Jonathan Taylor.

The Colts reportedly gave star running back Jonathan Taylor permission to seek a trade on Monday, enabling his agent to attempt to find a suitable landing spot for the 24-year-old.

It may prove difficult for Taylor to facilitate a trade, however. According to SI’s Albert Breer, there are two main thresholds that would need to be met for a deal to get done.

Per Breer, Indianapolis doesn’t intend to simply give away its one-time All-Pro running back. For Taylor to get the trade he’s seeking, he would need to find a team that is not only willing to sign him to a new contract, but also give the Colts a “good” return on top of that. 

Taylor initially requested a trade out of Indianapolis in late July, following an hour-long meeting with owner Jim Irsay. Of the trade request, Irsay said the organization had no intention of moving him. 

“We will not trade Jonathan Taylor,” Irsay said. “That is a certainty. Not now or not in October."

Despite those comments, their stance has changed in the matter of a few weeks, with the Colts now granting permission for Taylor to explore his options in regard to a trade.

Taylor has one year remaining on his rookie contract and is due to make $4.304 million in 2023 before hitting unrestricted free agency in 2024.