Colts Grant Jonathan Taylor Permission to Seek a Trade
It looks as if Jonathan Taylor's time with the Indianapolis Colts may be coming to a close.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Colts have permitted Taylor the permission to seek a trade. Taylor requested to be traded from the Colts on July 25th after the Colts would not engage in contract negotiations with the former All-Pro running back.
"Colts have given All-Pro RB Jonathan Taylor permission to seek a trade, per league sources," Schefter reported. "Other teams now are weighing whether to make an offer to the Colts and what would be fair value."
Until now, the Colts were not inclined to give in to Taylor's demands. Colts owner Jim Irsay stated publicly in July that the Colts would not trade Taylor. Irsay last spoke about Taylor on the broadcast when the Colts were playing the Chicago Bears.
"We're excited to have Jonathan Taylor back," Irsay mentioned. "I know these things are always difficult. I respect any time people are, they're trying to fight for their position, for their families, and all those things. And, you know, I've been around it so long that I just think the biggest thing that I preach is timing is everything."
Taylor and the Colts have had a great relationship up until this point. In the spring, Taylor talked about playing out the contract that he signed and showing loyalty to the franchise that drafted him in 2020. Taylor also expressed his desire to retire as a Colt someday.
"You look at the past and guys who have shown their value on and off the field tend to stay here," Taylor said in June. "My goal, first season after I got drafted, I'm like, 'I want to retire a Colt.' So hopefully the organization sees that the same, because I do."
Not even two months later, the Colts and Taylor are as far apart as ever. The running back has been away from the team for almost two straight weeks. Taylor spent the last week away from the team with an excused absence to deal with a personal matter. The week before, Taylor spent time at an out-of-state facility to continue rehab on his surgically repaired ankle.
After the game Saturday night, Steichen said Taylor would be rejoining the team on Sunday. The Colts’ head coach did not say when Taylor would practice as he has not yet been medically cleared.
Although Taylor has permission to seek a trade, that does not mean he will necessarily be on the move. The Colts will want significant compensation for Taylor, and his new team would need to be willing to give out the payday Taylor is looking for. The Colts will get the final say on whether a trade takes place.
According to ESPN's Stephen Holder, the Colts are seeking a first-round pick, or what would equate to a first-round pick, in any trade involving Taylor.
A first-round pick for a running back in today's game is a very high price. If teams are willing to give up enough assets to reach that value, Taylor could be on the move. If not, Taylor could find himself staying in Indy. Taylor would ultimately need to pass a physical for a trade to go through.
While there is still a slight possibility Taylor plays for the Colts this season, it is looking more and more likely Taylor's days in Indy are numbered.
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