The relationship between the Indianapolis Colts and their star running back Jonathan Taylor appears irrevocably damaged.
Taylor requested a trade following a meeting with owner Jim Irsay. The 2021 All-Pro has one year remaining on his rookie contract.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Stephen Holder addressed Taylor’s situation in depth on Saturday, with Holder indicating he’s heard the Colts would want “an early round draft pick” in return for the 24-year-old standout.
“That might be tough given the current climate about the value of running backs,” Holder wrote.
Then again, it must also be noted that Irsay told Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer that the team is “not trading Jonathan…end of discussion” and that includes during the season before the trade deadline.
Text from @Colts owner @JimIrsay on Jonathan Taylor’s trade request (as reported by @RapSheet): “We’re not trading Jonathan… end of discussion. Not now and not in October!”
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) July 30, 2023
Taylor, who played in only 11 games in 2022 and had offseason ankle surgery, was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list last Monday, which Holder says has only helped exacerbate the tension between him and the team.
While Taylor was limited to only 861 rushing yards and four touchdowns last year, he posted 2,980 yards and 29 touchdowns on the ground in his first two pro seasons in 2020-21.