Jonathan Taylor’s ongoing saga with the Indianapolis Colts doesn’t appear to be reaching a conclusion. Taylor, whom the Colts don’t plan to extend before his rookie contract expires, recently returned to the team after rehabbing his ankle injury away from Indy’s facility. But he’s since left the club to deal with a personal issue.
What’s the latest on Taylor, and will he and the Colts ever resolve their issues? ESPN’s Adam Schefter joined The Pat McAfee Show on Thursday and offered the latest on the star running back.
Jonathan Taylor Away From Colts Managing Personal Issue
Taylor is currently on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list as he works his way back from an ankle injury.
“Yes, his ankle is a question mark,” Schefter told McAfee. “Yes, there are some things that he’s still physically trying to get past.
“But I also think he would test positive for contract-itis if we gave him a test.”
"Jonathan Taylor and the Colts need to let this situation calm down..
Both sides need to give a little bit here and they need to get back to a better place than they've been" ~ @AdamSchefter #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/mdcRJJUYrm
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) August 17, 2023
However, Taylor’s personal issue is “truly legitimate” and doesn’t involve his current squabble with the Colts, per Schefter. Indianapolis excused Taylor from training camp practice sessions, indicating that the team has authorized his absence.
Still, it doesn’t sound like Taylor and the Colts are any closer to working out their issues.
Taylor, scheduled to earn $4.304 million in 2023, wants a contract extension before the season begins. Colts owner Jim Irsay met with Taylor in late July and has since suggested that while Indy is not interested in trading Taylor, the team has no plans to extend him at this time.
“The situation has regressed,” Schefter said. “It hasn’t moved the right way. It’s regressed. And (Taylor) is a part of that regression, but he’s not the full reason that there’s been a regression.”
"The situation has gone backwards as we get closer to the season" ~ @AdamSchefter #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/7KtjrH9m5N
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) August 17, 2023
Will the Colts Trade Jonathan Taylor?
Although Taylor has formally requested a trade, there’s a sense that there might not be many takers around the NFL — even if the Colts were willing to part ways with the former second-round pick.
“Do I think that there would be teams out there that would be interested? Yes. Do I think that those teams would be willing to give up what the Colts would want back in return and compensate Jonathan Taylor? That’s a challenge,” Schefter said.
That’s in line with recent reporting from ESPN’s Stephen Holder and The Athletic’s Jeff Howe, both of whom suggested that rival clubs wouldn’t be amenable to sacrificing draft capital to acquire Taylor and then extending him, potentially at a rate of more than $15 million per year.
“There are wounds that have to be healed and patched up and repaired,” Schefter continued. “Both sides have done damage. It’s time to wipe that slate clean.
“Sit down and be responsible, mature, professional individuals and figure out what is it that’s going to make both sides happy. You know what that is? It’s a fair deal.”