Jonathan Taylor has reportedly requested a trade from the Indianapolis Colts. The star running back is entering the final year of his rookie contract; however, the team has no plans to extend him with a new deal. Owner Jim Irsay addressed the request to ESPN in a text message, revealing that the team will not trade him.
"We're not trading Jonathan … end of discussion," Irsay texted a reporter for the outlet. "Not now and not in October!" News of the trade request was first reported by NFL Network. Irsay attended the team's practice on Saturday night and invited Taylor to a meeting in his luxury bus.
Jonathan Taylor At Colts' OTA
"We're looking forward to a great season and hoping Jonathan is a big part of that," Irsay told reporters after the meeting. "We're looking forward to hopefully having Jonathan there." Despite saying the two had a "good conversation," Irsay admitted the Colts still have no plans to extend his contract. "At this point, that's not something that we're discussing right now," Irsay said. "This isn't a comment that has to do with Jonathan Taylor's situation. It's what my responsibilities are. I'm responsible for everyone on the team and to look at the cap money that you have and to look at contracts as you go forward."
Taylor will earn $4.304 million this season, ranking 18th among running back salaries in 2023. He's been the team's best playmaker since being drafted in 2020. He led the NFL with 1,811 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2021.
Jim Irsay Says Colts Aren't Extending Jonathan Taylor
"If I die tonight and Jonathan Taylor is out of the league, no one's gonna miss us," Irsay also said on Saturday. "The league goes on. We know that. The National Football League rolls on. It doesn't matter who comes and who goes, and it's a privilege to be a part of it."
[Via]
