In a recent turn of events, the Indianapolis Colts refrained from trading Jonathan Taylor this past Tuesday, citing their inability to secure an offer that met their criteria for the services of their All-Pro running back, as revealed by sources close to ESPN.
As the sun set on Tuesday without any trade transactions materializing, Taylor’s status remains fixed on the physically unable to perform list, rendering him ineligible for participation in a minimum of the initial four games of the impending season.
This unanticipated development implies that Taylor’s absence will be acutely felt in crucial matchups, including contests against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Houston Texans, the Baltimore Ravens, and the formidable Los Angeles Rams.
The next significant window for the Colts to potentially negotiate Taylor’s departure looms before the NFL’s trade deadline on October 31st.
In the unfortunate event that an agreement remains elusive by that critical date, the Colts may resort to invoking the franchise tag on Taylor, reserving the option to explore trade opportunities in the subsequent offseason.
It’s worth noting that the Colts recently adopted an unconventional approach by granting Taylor and his representatives the liberty to engage with other NFL franchises in pursuit of a viable trade arrangement. This approach bore a conspicuous deadline of 4 p.m. on Tuesday for any prospective deal to materialize. This deadline strategically aligned with the NFL’s own deadline mandating teams to trim their rosters from a roster size of 90 to the stipulated 53 players.
Simultaneously, this marked the cutoff point for the Colts to determine Taylor’s roster status, ending his tenure on the active/physically unable to perform list, a status he has held since recovering from ankle surgery.
The contentious standoff between Taylor and the Indianapolis Colts traces back to the franchise’s decision in May, a decision to not extend his contract as he enters the final year of his rookie deal. Taylor, who led the NFL in rushing with an impressive tally exceeding 1,800 yards in the 2021 season, encountered multiple setbacks due to ankle issues last season. While observing his peers like Shaquille Leonard and Quenton Nelson securing contract extensions with a full season remaining on their rookie deals, Taylor naturally anticipated similar treatment.
However, as it became increasingly evident that the team remained steadfast in its stance, and Taylor assessed the financial landscape for elite running backs, exemplified by figures like Josh Jacobs and Saquon Barkley, he adopted a resolute position.
When queried about Taylor’s contract situation as training camp commenced, General Manager Chris Ballard responded, “We will address those matters at the appropriate juncture.”
On the same day, Taylor discreetly expressed his desire for a trade. The Miami Dolphins emerged as one of the franchises showing keen interest in Taylor’s services. Nevertheless, the Colts’ initial demands for compensation, notably a first-round draft pick, exceeded the appetite of the broader NFL market.
The Colts’ running back corps, in Taylor’s absence, currently comprises seasoned campaigners in Zack Moss and Deon Jackson, complemented by the rookie Evan Hull. Moss, who is presently convalescing from a broken arm sustained during training camp, has never eclipsed 481 rushing yards in a solitary season. Jackson’s career best, achieved last season, stands at 236 rushing yards. On a related note, the Colts released the veteran Kenyan Drake, among several other players in the same positional group, this past Sunday.
