Colt Following: The RB Rebellion

07/31/2023

By: Jeff Yoder

Colts RB Jonathan Taylor Joins Running Back Rebellion, Requests Trade From Indy

Add another star running back to the growing list of disgruntled NFL players. Colts RB Jonathan Taylor officially requested a trade this weekend after a conversation with team owner Jim Irsay on a lengthy bus ride. Taylor is entering the fourth year of his rookie contract without a long-term deal, and he’s joining a movement of ballcarriers fighting back against the NFL’s devaluation of the position. Taylor has been a fan-favorite and workhorse back for the Colts while the team has gone through a rebuild, but JT wants out after one week of camp. Local reports suggested Taylor was an absolute team player in his first three seasons, but that changed after his conversation with Irsay. Despite his production, Taylor missed six games last season with an ankle injury. And when it comes to NFL economics, the Colts aren’t about to give $40 million-plus to the least-valued position in football.

 

Average Salary by Position

Quarterbacks: $5.1 Million

Running Backs: $1.8 Million

Receivers: $2.2 Million

Tight Ends: $2.0 Million

Offensive Line: $2.8 Million

Defensive Line: $2.7 Million

Edge: $3.2 Million

Linebackers: $2.4 Million

Secondary: $2.1 Million

Special Teams: $1.7 Million

 

Only three RBs currently have a contract north of $12 million per year with more than $10 million fully guaranteed through the next two seasons (2024) — Christian McCaffrey (49ers), Alvin Kamara (Saints), and Nick Chubb (Browns).

 

The Running Back Rebellion: Chargers’ RB Austin Ekeler — who led the NFL in touchdowns last season — requested the first trade of the offseason back in the spring. In light of recent running back disrespect, Ekeler and Titans’ RB Derrick Henry started a group chat that led to a Zoom meeting of star running backs.

 

NFL Running Back Watch

Saquon Barkley (NYG): Signed 1-Year Deal

Josh Jacobs (LVR): Holdout / Un-Signed Franchise Tag

Austin Ekeler (LAC): Requested Trade

Jonathan Taylor (IND): Requested Trade

Ezekiel Elliot (DAL): Cut / Free Agent

Dalvin Cook (MIN): Cut / Free Agent

 

NFL Training Camp News

• Seahawks RBs Kenneth Walker & Zach Charbonnet Both Injured
• Bucs 1st-Round Pick DT Calijah Kancey Carted Off With Calf Injury
• Vikings & DE Danielle Hunter Agree to 1-Year, $20 Million Deal
• Steelers Sign Former Pro Bowl LB Kwon Alexander to 1-Year Deal
• Texans WR John Metchie III Cleared for Camp After Cancer Fight

Other NFL News

• RB Ezekiel Elliot Meets With Patriots, Leaves Without Deal
• Two-Time Super Bowl Champion RB Sony Michel Retires at 28
• Le’Veon Bell Roasts Giants QB Daniel Jones in Defense of Saquon Barkley
• Bears’ 1st-Round Pick OL Darnell Wright Crushes OL Conditioning Test After Following WR Offseason Running Program

 

Photo: Cooper Neill / Getty Images