The Colts Are Crumbling

08/22/2023

By: Jeff Yoder

Colts Give RB Jonathan Taylor Permission to Seek Trade After Chaotic Preseason

Jonathan Taylor got his wish, and the Colts are back to being the laughing stock of the AFC. After a month-long dispute with ownership, Jonathan Taylor was given permission to seek a trade on Monday. Taylor had spoken publicly about feeling disrespected by Indy entering Year 4 (a contract year) without a long-term deal after Colts owner Robert Irsay denounced the infamous running backs zoom call. The decline in running back value has been a topic we’ve covered extensively in recent years, and it’s gotten worse this time around. After Ezekiel Elliot (Patriots) and Dalvin Cook (Jets) sat through free agency, they eventually signed 1-year deals. So did Saquon Barkley (Giants). Austin Ekeler (Chargers) was as disgruntled as anyone. And Josh Jacobs (Raiders) is still holding out. So how high is Taylor’s value? And where might he end up?

JT’s Production…

Has been pretty remarkable. Taylor was the 41st overall pick by the Colts in 2020 (2nd Round), and he was the third running back taken that year. Only Clyde Edwards-Helaire (Chiefs) and D’Andre Swift (Lions) were drafted earlier. JT has outperformed both of them, amassing over 4,600 yards and 36 touchdowns in three seasons. He earned a pro bowl nod in 2021, and few ballcarriers in the league have been more productive as the bell-cow back. Taylor is only 24 years old, and he needs his next contract to be secure, and large, because it’ll likely be his only major extension before the league deems him expendable.

During JT’s stint with Indy…

The Colts are 24-25-1. They’ve had three head coaches — Frank Reich, Jeff Saturday, Shane Steichen — and six quarterbacks — Philip Rivers, Carson Wentz, Matt Ryan, Sam Ehlinger, Nick Foles, and now, Anthony Richardson. Tack on the devaluation of RBs and an owner who seems dug in on not paying his star player, and you’ve got a holdout showdown in Indy. Taylor has yet to suit up for the Colts this preseason, citing injuries and a trade request. So where could he land?

Potential Landing Spots

It’s difficult to picture a team willing to make a move for a running back that demands a high salary unless it’s a one-season rental in a contract year. The Colts want a first-round pick (yikes). Let’s play pretend. Here are nine teams that might make sense, tiered from most likely to least likely based on rumors and reports we’ve read.

Tier 1: Bears, Dolphins, Commanders

Tier 2: Cowboys, Chiefs, Bengals

Tier 3: Rams, Bucs, Ravens

NBC Sports: Dolphins Reportedly Exploring Trade for Colts RB Jonathan Taylor

B/R: Jonathan Taylor Gets Permission to Seek Trade, Colts Want 1st-Round Pick

Photo: Cooper Neill / Getty Images