Texans Rival Jonathan Taylor Wants Colts Trade After Jim Irsay 'Death' Quote

“If I die tonight and Jonathan Taylor is out of the league, no one’s gonna miss us.'' Colts owner Jim Irsay, pouring gasoline on a contract dispute fire.

There are any number of ways to express an appreciation for being in the NFL while also trying to tamp down the flames of a player/owner contract dispute.

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay - who has a history of quotable goofiness - has not been able to stumble upon one of those ways.

“If I die tonight and Jonathan Taylor is out of the league, no one’s gonna miss us,” Irsay said, per The Athletic. “The league goes on. We know that. The National Football (League) rolls on. It doesn’t matter who comes and who goes, and it’s a privilege to be a part of it.”

NFL Network has reported that the stellar Colts running back had issued a trade request - an idea that Indy rival the Houston Texans would surely welcome, as he has the ability to tear things up in the AFC South. Then came a face-to-face meeting between Irsay and Taylor. Would there be a new contract forged right there? That might be a bit much to ask? Would the two sides at least agree to co-exist in peace?

For Irsay, by adding gasoline to those aforementioned flames, that is apparently a bit much to ask as well.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that Irsay and Taylor met at training camp aboard the Indianapolis owner’s private luxury bus as they attempt to calm the relationship between the two sides ... if not get down to negotiations. Taylor is in Year 4 of his rookie contract, with a full value of $7.8 million. He makes about $5 million this year - a steal - and is eligible for an extension.

Irsay has spoken generally about agents offering up "bad faith'' ideas to their clients who play the suddenly-devalued running back position - which caused Taylor's agent, Malki Kawa, to tweet that "it's bad faith not to pay your top offensive player.'' Kawa is now expressing doubt that the relationship can be healed. And Irsay's goofy comment offers little relief to the wounds. 

Irsay is still talking, by the way, texting SI, “We’re not trading Jonathan... end of discussion. Not now and not in October!”.

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