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What are possible landing spots for Jonathan Taylor after running back requests trade from Indianapolis Colts?
Jonathan Taylor (@SleeperNFL/Twitter)
- Jonathan Taylor requests trade from Colts
- Taylor is in the final year of his rookie contract
- Colts owner Jim Irsay admitted Thursday no contract talks have taken place with Taylor
Jonathan Taylor wants to continue playing football somewhere else. After asking for a new contract to start training camp, Taylor has asked the Indianapolis Colts for a trade.
The team that selected Taylor in the second round three years ago has decided to extend Taylor’s contract as he enters the last year of his rookie deal. Taylor has 3,841 rushing yards and 33 touchdowns in three seasons with the Colts. He also has 802 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Only Edgerrin James was quicker (30 games) than him to carry for 3,000 yards in franchise history (33 games).
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After the Colts’ first three seasons, his 36 touchdowns are the second-most by a player.
Jim Irsay, the owner of the Colts, acknowledged on Thursday that Taylor and the team have not even exchanged phone numbers in relation to a contract. Taylor voiced his opinion about running backs not getting paid earlier this month as the running back market continued to deteriorate.
After Taylor requested to be traded, Irsay exacerbated the situation by making some odd remarks. This week, the Colts owner made several contentious comments about Taylor, but this one was particularly offensive.
“If I die tonight and Jonathan Taylor is out of the league, no one’s gonna miss us, Irsay said, per The Athletic. “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.”
Regardless of Irsay’s comments, he also told Sports Illustrated the team has no intentions of trading Taylor.
“We’re not trading Jonathan… end of discussion,” Irsay said. “Not now and not in October!”
Taylor’s time in Indianapolis appears to be ended since, despite what Irsay claims, he has the option of not playing. Taylor is one of the league’s top running back players despite the running back market being down.
Also Read: From Justin Herbert to Russell Wilson: Top 5 highest-paid players in the NFL in 2023
Here’s an early look at potential landing spots for Taylor:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
This offseason, the Buccaneers decided to move on from Leonard Fournette in favour of Rachaad White and Chase Edmunds. Although Taylor would give an offence that already has Mike Evans and Chris Godwin at solid skill positions a much-needed boost, Tampa Bay will rely on White to be the featured back in the offence.
Taylor would also significantly lessen Baker Mayfield’s burden of leading the offence.
Miami Dolphins
Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson, who together averaged 4.8 yards per rush last season, form a strong rotation for the Dolphins. De’Von Achene, a rookie, gives Miami a strong trio in the backfield by adding even more speed.
Regardless of what McDaniel wants to do with his rotation, Taylor would be the top back in Miami. That decision might put the Dolphins in first place in the AFC East.
New England Patriots
Besides Rhamondre Stevenson, who is unquestionably the team’s top running back and a player they truly like, the Patriots don’t have a lot of depth. New England might use more offensive support to help Mac Jones after missing out on DeAndre Hopkins to improve the passing game.
After receiving just 10 carries in year one, Pierre Strong is expected to take over as the No. 2 running back, but a Taylor-Stevenson pairing would greatly improve the offence.
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