ESPN Predicts New Contract for Jonathan Taylor could be 'Tricky'

Jonathan Taylor is in the last year of his contract, and ESPN predicts negotiations with the Indianapolis Colts might not be simple.

There's no doubt the Indianapolis Colts value star running back Jonathan Taylor. The Colts also have a very good track record of taking care of their own free agents.

But how much does the NFL still value running backs?

Only six running backs in the NFL have a salary-cap hit over $10 million, three of those are on franchise tags, and two of those three haven't signed their tender.

The league knows the shelf life of running backs is a short one, and they're reluctant to give long-term second contracts to running backs.

The players know their shelf life is shorter than other positions, and they're reluctant to sign one-year deals.

Tony Jones of the Dallas Cowboys has signed his franchise tag, while Josh Jacobs of the Raiders and Saquon Barkley of the Giants have declined thus far.

ESPN+ compiled a list of players who were scheduled for massive new contracts. Taylor was on the list, but Colts' beat writer Stephen Holder isn't so sure it will be that easy.

Latest on negotiations: Extensions for productive running backs can be tricky, as the Saquon Barkley talks have demonstrated. The same applies here, but the situation is further complicated by the reality that Taylor is coming off a tough, injury-marred season in 2022. He recently changed agents and said this week he and the team have had some recent contract talks. Still, the Colts have time. Taylor, who has rushed for 3,841 yards in his three seasons, has one year remaining on his rookie contract and is scheduled to hit free agency in spring 2024. 

But is Taylor willing to be patient? He offered some stirring comments about the financial state of running backs around the league as the Colts' minicamp ended, saying, "You see why guys request trades. They just want to feel valued by not only their coaches, their teammates, but the organization as well." -- Stephen Holder, ESPN+

Taylor is scheduled to make $4.3 million in the final season of his rookie deal. That a second-round pick on a rookie deal is still No. 12 in the NFL in cap hit indicates the devalued nature of the position. 

Taylor has indicated that he wants to come back. The Colts have indicated they want Taylor back.

Sounds simple, right?

It might not turn out to be that easy.