(Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
The Indianapolis Colts are going through quite a bit of turmoil right now.
Their star running back, Jonathan Taylor, recently demanded a trade after they refused to give him a lucrative new contract, and after some initial hesitation, they gave him the green light to seek a trade.
Reporter Albert Breer appeared on “The Rich Eisen Show” and outlined the situation, and he said the Colts haven’t offered Taylor a new contract because they’d rather wait until next offseason.
After promising not to deal Jonathan Taylor, the Colts are now allowing the former rushing champ to seek a trade partner — how did we get here? Why has the relationship deteriorated?#NFL #NFLPreseason #ForTheShoe pic.twitter.com/lsRx7QX9ft
— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) August 22, 2023
According to Eisen, one thing complicating matters is the fact that Taylor had an ankle injury last season that required surgery.
Still, he is one of the game’s very best running backs, and as recently as 2021 he ran for 1,811 yards and 18 touchdowns, leading the NFL in both categories.
Taylor’s situation underscores how much the market for running backs across the league has crashed.
Fellow star running backs Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, and Austin Ekeler have also asked for new contracts, only to be rebuffed, and it is clear that something needs to be done in order for such players to receive what they deserve.
At age 24, Taylor isn’t exactly nearing the point at which he will decline, which should mean his objective value is higher than that of some other star tailbacks.
The Colts have made the playoffs only once and haven’t won a postseason game since quarterback Andrew Luck retired before the 2019 season.
With the talented and unique Anthony Richardson now under center, they need to make sure they have the players needed to help him develop and blossom.
The post Reporter Details Why Colts Refused To Pay Jonathan Taylor This Year appeared first on The Cold Wire.