Jonathan Taylor vs. Colts: Who's To Blame?
By now you are all aware of the current drama between the Indianapolis Colts and superstar running back Jonathan Taylor.
Just a couple of weeks ago, it was expected that the Colts would sign Taylor to an extension keeping him in Indy long-term to pair with quarterback Anthony Richardson. Taylor echoed his desire to stay in Indy before the team broke OTAs for the summer.
"You look at the past and guys who have shown their value on and off the field tend to stay here," Taylor noted. "My goal, first season after I got drafted, I'm like, 'I want to retire a Colt.' So hopefully the organization sees that the same, because I do."
Fast forward to today, and the running back's future is murkier than ever. Taylor being placed on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, public spats between Colts' owner Jim Irsay and Taylor's agent Malki Kawa, and a trade request have all happened over the last week. The situation between Taylor and the Colts is now playing out in real-time in the public eye.
So, who is to blame for this mess? Is it the Colts for not folding to Taylor's demands? Is it Taylor for going about this the wrong way? Or are both parties in the wrong?
Taylor is entering the last year of his rookie deal, where he is set to make $4.3 million. This figure puts him as the 18th-highest-paid running back in the NFL, according to Spotrac.
© Mykal McEldowney / USA TODAY NETWORK
When looking at how Taylor has performed over the past three seasons, it is fair to say that he is underpaid. Taylor has 3,841 rushing yards (5.1 ypc) and 33 touchdowns in 43 games. Taylor was even an MVP candidate in 2021 after racking up 1,811 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns, turning in the best single-season for a running back in Colts franchise history.
But Taylor, like much of the Colts team, had a down year in 2022. Battling injuries for much of the season, Taylor managed just 861 yards and four touchdowns in 11 games. Taylor missed the final three games of the year with an ankle injury, which he had surgery on in January.
Even though he had a down year, Taylor seemed eager to bounce back in 2023. He did not participate in OTAs due to the ankle surgery, but Taylor seemed like his normal self. He was seen cheering on his teammates and continued to have a smile on his face.
Somewhere along the line, things changed drastically. Taylor hired new management this summer in preparation for contract talks. Taylor has also been one of the more outspoken players regarding the running back position being undervalued.
"So just seeing guys fight, you just hope that things work out for them," Taylor remarked about other running backs. "You see why guys, they request trades. They just want to feel valued by not only their coaches, their teammates, but the organization as well."
As players reported for training camp, ESPN's Stephen Holder reported the Colts have yet to offer Taylor a contract extension. While general manager Chris Ballard had noted that he has had a few long conversations with the disgruntled running back, a deal has not been offered to the former All-Pro.
Last Tuesday, Taylor formally requested a trade from the Colts. While Ballard reportedly did not give Taylor a yes or a no on the request, Irsay went on the record to say the Colts would not be trading Taylor.
It is easy to see why Taylor is upset. He has been the workhorse for this offense over the last few seasons, carrying the team on his back at times. Taylor has also seen the Colts hand out big-time extensions to talented players before the end of their rookie deals. These players include guard Quenton Nelson, linebacker Shaquille Leonard, offensive tackle Braden Smith, center Ryan Kelly, and running back Nyheim Hines.
Taylor has been at Colts practice, but his demeanor has completely changed. He does not interact with anyone, instead watching with his hood up and a scowl on his face. Whether this is just for show or not remains to be seen. But publicly, there is little doubt Taylor is trying to show his displeasure.
When it comes to the Colts, the team has changed their philosophy. Ballard has consistently preached about keeping home-grown players. Even if they are players that do not play premium positions, the Colts have a history of paying and retaining their own. Nelson, Leonard, and Smith are great examples of that.
But after what transpired last season, and with a new coaching staff coming into the building, Ballard and the Colts are taking a wait-and-see approach with players on expiring contracts. Taylor, Michael Pittman Jr., Kenny Moore II, Julian Blackmon, and others are up for possible extensions. The team wants to see how players respond and play with Shane Steichen and his staff.
"Our history is really good, but saying that, we’re coming off a four-win season, we have a new coaching staff," Ballard said. "So, we’ll kind of let it play out as it does and make those decisions when we need to make those decisions.”
Ballard is also not opposed to doing extensions during the season. The Colts extended defensive tackle Grover Stewart in the middle of the 2020 season. If Ballard and the Colts see that a player is performing well with the new regime, they could look to strike a deal before season's end.
Using a wait-and-see approach may seem unfair to players up for new deals. However, Ballard and the Colts front office have the prerogative to do so. While most players have gone about things business as usual, Taylor has been the one to voice his displeasure.
After Taylor requested a trade, Irsay did not help to cool the temperature in the room. Irsay brought things into the public eye last Wednesday when he tweeted about the running back situation. Irsay's comments were not directed at Taylor but at Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris, who said the CBA should be renegotiated.
Regardless, it was not smart for Irsay to comment publicly when his team is currently in a contract dispute with its best playmaker, a running back. Taylor's agent responded to the tweet, with Kawa replying, "Bad faith is not paying your top offensive player." Kawa has continued to retweet and like numerous posts regarding criticism of Irsay and Taylor being traded.
On Saturday evening, Irsay met with Taylor in his bus outside the Colts' practice field at Grand Park as the team practiced mere yards away. What was said during that meeting has been kept private between Irsay and Taylor, but the situation has not changed.
With the facts laid out, who is to blame for the situation Taylor and the Colts find themselves in? Both parties are complicit, to an extent, with how this has all played out. But ultimately, Taylor and his management have overplayed their hand by aggressively, and at times unprofessionally, pursuing an extension.
Taylor holds very little leverage in this situation. One of the reasons the Colts are taking a wait-and-see approach is due to the injuries Taylor has had.
While he has been great for the Colts, he is coming off an injury-riddled year where the team went 4-12-1 and is still dealing with injuries. Taylor was placed on the PUP list after he failed his pre-camp physical due to his ankle. There have also been reports that Taylor suffered a back injury while training away from the organization this summer, but Taylor has denied the report.
© The Indianapolis Star-USA TODAY NETWORK
Taylor does not seem to be receiving the best advice from his representation. The aggressive approach and public pressure is unprofessional and finds them losing in the court of public opinion. Colts fans are souring quickly on how Taylor and his agent have handled the situation.
Taylor also cannot hold out and withhold his services. If he holds out and is healthy, Taylor is fined each day he misses. On top of that, Taylor risks losing an accrued season, meaning he would be a restricted free agent at the end of his deal, and the Colts would be able to match any offer he received.
Lastly, the market to pay big money to running backs is not there. Gone are the days of the deals earned by Christian McCaffrey and Alvin Kamara, where the top running backs average $15-16 million per season. It is unrealistic to think Taylor will receive this money from the Colts or any other team, regardless of how strongly he feels he deserves it.
Taylor has gone about this process in a manner that is incredibly miscalculated and uncharacteristic of how the Colts star has conducted himself throughout his entire career. Taylor seemed content to let things play out behind the scenes and let his play do the talking just a few short months ago. But now the running back wants to be paid, and now, or else.
While players should try to get paid as much as possible, there is a right and wrong way to go about business. For Taylor, bad business has been the theme over the last couple of weeks, and at this point, it is unlikely the running back ends up winning the deal.
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