The Indianapolis Colts reportedly took a step toward honoring Jonathan Taylor’s trade request.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Colts granted the star running back permission to seek a trade. Teams are deciding whether to pursue the 24-year-old, and if so, what to give.
In his second season, Taylor earned All-Pro honors after leading the league in carries (332), rushing yards (1,811), and rushing touchdowns (18). He finished second to Cooper Kupp in the AP Offensive Player of the Year voting.
Colts have given All-Pro RB Jonathan Taylor permission to seek a trade, per league sources. Other teams now are weighing whether to make an offer to the Colts and what would be fair value. pic.twitter.com/AT7GgJGLAQ
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 21, 2023
However, Taylor fell considerably short of an encore by collecting 1,004 scrimmage yards in 11 games last season. Taylor underwent ankle surgery in January and began training camp on the physically unable to perform list.
Taylor asked for a trade last month after not receiving an extension offer from the Colts. The former second-round pick is set to make $4.3 million in the fourth and final season of his rookie contract.
“We love Jonathan, we need Jonathan,” Colts owner Jim Irsay told ESPN’s Stephen Holder in July. “Our hope is Jonathan has an outstanding year and that we have a good year as a team and then we get his next contract done. That’s the hope. We think the world of him as a person, as a player. It’s just timing. When your time comes to get paid, then you get paid.”
Taylor’s agent, Malki Kawa, wrote “I doubt it” in response to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport hoping the Colts and Taylor can mend the relationship after the trade request.
Given the offseason’s tepid running back market, it’d be interesting to see if any teams are willing to move significant assets for Taylor and give him a long-term deal. The Colts are less than three weeks away from opening the 2023 season against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sept. 10.