One of NFL's best running back asked to be traded
In a surprising turn of events, Jonathan Taylor, the 2021 NFL rushing champion, has reportedly requested a trade. A person familiar with the situation revealed the news to The Associated Press on Saturday night. Taylor's desire for a contract extension before his rookie deal expires at the end of this season has been a topic of discussion throughout the offseason, with several running backs publicly voicing their concerns.
The request for a trade came to light shortly after Taylor had a meeting with Colts' owner Jim Irsay, which lasted nearly an hour during a night practice at the team's training camp in Westfield, Indiana.
"It was just a good conversation and, you know, hopeful going forward," Irsay stated to reporters after the practice. "We're looking forward to a great season, hoping that Jonathan's a big part of that and I think we had a good conversation."
While Taylor has not spoken with reporters since being placed on the physically unable to perform list earlier in the week, General Manager Chris Ballard previously mentioned that the team wanted to assess Taylor's performance in the new offensive system under first-year coach Shane Steichen before negotiating a new deal.
The talented running back had a remarkable college career at Wisconsin, surpassing the 2,000-yard mark twice. In his first two NFL seasons, he accumulated an impressive 2,980 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns. Taylor's stellar performances earned him a unanimous All-Pro selection in 2021, leading the league with 2,171 total yards and tying for the league lead in touchdowns with 20.
However, Taylor's 2022 season was affected by an ankle injury that caused him to miss six games, resulting in 861 rushing yards for the year. The Colts also faced challenges, finishing the season with a disappointing 4-11-1 record.
Irsay recently took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to discuss the issue of player agents complaining about the franchise tag designation's earnings for running backs, suggesting that some acted in bad faith after the collective bargaining agreement was negotiated.
Now, with Taylor seeking a trade, the Colts face the possibility of parting ways with their star running back before he even has a chance to team up with rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson, the No. 4 overall pick in the April draft. Irsay expressed the importance of ensuring Taylor's health and expecting him to have an outstanding year, but the situation remains uncertain as the team navigates through contract negotiations and prepares for the upcoming season.
| POLL | ||
29 JUILLET | 41 ANSWERS One of NFL's best running back asked to be traded Should the bears trade for Johnathan Taylor? | ||
| Yes | 13 | 31.7 % |
| No | 28 | 68.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
