Jonathan Taylor NFL trade odds: Colts expected to call bluff on Pro Bowl running back's demand out of Indianapolis
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor wants to be traded.
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It has been a notable offseason for some big-name running backs in terms of unhappiness with their current teams/contracts, and we can now add maybe the best of them all, the Colts' Jonathan Taylor, to the list. The 2021 NFL rushing king and first-team All-Pro has demanded a trade out of Indianapolis, and SportsLine offers odds on his future.
We have seen over and over again how teams have so clearly downgraded the value of a running back in terms of a long-term extension, which is what Taylor wants. The Chargers' Austin Ekeler wanted a deal and demanded a traded earlier in 2023 but now will play out his contract. The Giants' Saquon Barkley threatened to hold out into the season rather than play on the franchise tag. New York gave him a few baubles. Reigning NFL rushing king Josh Jacobs of the Raiders says he is ready to hold out into the season rather than play on the tag. Four-time Pro Bowler Dalvin Cook was cut by the Vikings and three-time Pro Bowler Ezekiel Elliott waived by the Cowboys both for salary reasons.
Taylor is entering the final season of his four-year rookie contract and is scheduled to earn $4.304 million, which ranks 18th among running back salaries in 2023. Taylor, who is currently on the PUP list (ankle procedure), wants an extension that puts him in line with the league's highest-paid running backs but the Colts have made no offers. Taylor made his trade demand after a meeting with owner Jim Irsay on the team bus during Saturday's training camp session.
"We're not trading Jonathan ... end of discussion," Irsay texted various media. "Not now and not in October!"
The story took a turn Sunday night when it was reported that Taylor reported back pain during his pre-training camp physical that was deemed to be from an injury not sustained while playing for Indianapolis. Thus, the Colts are pondering placing Taylor on the non-football injury list, which could result in Indianapolis withholding his salary. While the team obviously knew about his ankle issue, it was unaware about the back.
One can see why Taylor would be irked as the Colts previously have signed key stars, including guard Quenton Nelson and linebacker Shaquille Leonard, before the final season of their rookie contracts began. Indy has nearly $20 million available in cap space but Irsay has been on record that the team will not offer Taylor an extension.
Taylor's individual Over/Under season props have been taken off the board at DraftKings, but he is +150 to reach at least 1,250 yards. He remains a +650 second favorite to win the 2023 rushing title (had career-best 1,811 yards two years ago when the first) and +1000 third favorite to lead in rushing TDs, which he also did in 2021 with 18. To win NFL Offensive Player of the Year, Taylor is +3000. He finished second two years ago to Rams wideout Cooper Kupp.
The Colts aren't in great shape at tailback behind Taylor with the likes of Zack Moss, Deon Jackson and Evan Hull. A good running game can only help the progress of extremely raw rookie first-round QB Anthony Richardson, so trading Taylor wouldn't make a lot of sense.
Perhaps a contender will come calling with a strong offer if it suffers an injury at the position as happened in 2022 with the 49ers. To get Christian McCaffrey from Carolina, San Francisco gave up second-, third- and fourth-round picks in 2023 and a fifth-round selection in 2024. McCaffrey was under a long-term contract. Taylor isn't. And now we have the injury questions.
Indy is currently +3.5 at home for Week 1 vs. Jacksonville.
Via SportsLine oddsmakers: Will Jonathan Taylor still be on the Colts' roster Week 1?
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