On July 29, 2023, The Indianapolis Colts All-Pro running back Jonathan Taylor requested a trade following a meeting with Colts owner Jim Irsay on the team bus at training camp. This was a surprise to most Colt fans because we heard the meeting between the two went well. After the request, Irsay had this to say to Albert Breer via text “We’re not trading Jonathan Taylor, end of discussion. Not now and not in October.”
Taylor, who is seeking a contract extension is entering the last season of his rookie contract and will earn $4.3 million. Taylor is currently on the physically unable to perform list (PUP) while rehabbing from an offseason ankle surgery which landed him on the pup list. He has not participated in any activities since reporting to training camp back on July 25, 2023. Taylor stated he will not take the field until he is 100% healthy, especially after he dealt with ankle issues during the 2022 season.
Taylor left training camp on two separate occasions; to receive treatment away from the facility and for personal reasons. This may have prompted the team to give him and his agent permission to seek a trade. The team wants to be compensated in any offer for the disgruntled running back. According to ESPN Stephen Holder, the Colts are seeking a first-round pick or a package of picks that equals to a first-round pick.
Since the team granted Taylor permission to seek a trade, six teams have called inquiring about a potential trade for Taylor. While teams are pursuing Taylor, it’s been reported Chicago Bears and Miami Dolphins made an offer, but both were rejected. The Dolphins, who missed out on signing running back Dalvin Cook, continues to purse Taylor but the Colts aren’t in a rush to trade Taylor, especially if they don’t agree with the trade offer. According to AtoZ Sports Destin Adams, the Colts and Dolphins are in a standoff in the negotiations for Taylor.
As the league wraps up preseason, teams are preparing for roster cuts. On Tuesday, August 29, 2023, all 32 teams are required to trim down their 90-man rosters to 53 by 4 p.m. ET. Also, this is an important day for the Colts because they must decide rather to trade Taylor, retain him, and activate him to the active roster, or place him on the reserve/PUP list, which he’ll be ineligible to play for at least 4 games of the 2023 season.
