Jonathan Taylor wants out.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Saturday night that the All-Pro running back has formally requested a trade by the Indianapolis Colts.
Rapoport reported the request came after Taylor met with team owner Jim Irsay Saturday.
CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson reported Taylor made the request to Colts GM Chris Ballard several days ago, although Taylor and Irsay did meet Saturday.
Taylor, 24, is entering the fourth and final year of his rookie contract. Irsay has said he wants to pay Taylor “when it’s time.” However, Irsay raised eyebrows Thursday with a tweet calling out the “NFL Running Back situation,” saying it was “inappropriate” for agents to try to negotiate contracts outside the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement. He added that some agents are selling “bad faith.”
Irsay denied the comments were aimed at Taylor.
“We love Jonathan, we need Jonathan,” Irsay clarified to reporters Friday. “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 suffered an ankle injury in Week 4 last season, and he never fully recovered, rushing for 861 yards in 11 games. That came on the heels of his huge 1,811-yard, 18-touchdown season in 2021.
Taylor underwent ankle surgery in January, and while he had appeared ready to return for training camp, the Colts placed him on the active/physically unable to perform list this week.
Whether he plays another game for the Colts now remains to be seen. The NFL world quickly reacted to the Taylor news.
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About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.