The running back market has been in flames this NFL offseason. Star players like Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, Jonathan Taylor, and Austin Ekeler expressed their frustrations on just how much the position has been undervalued.
As we inch closer to the season, it has been shocking, to say the least, considering that Barkley will play on a one-year deal for $11 million, and as of now, Jacobs has been a no-show for the Las Vegas Raiders at training camp.
More recently, the situation has grown worse. Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay is now facing much scrutiny over his infamous tweet on July 26th regarding the frustrations of the running backs around the league.
NFL Running Back situation- We have negotiated a CBA,that took years of effort and hard work and compromise in good faith by both sides..to say now that a specific Player category wants another negotiation after the fact,is inappropriate. Some Agents are selling ‘bad faith’..
— Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) July 26, 2023
It was easy to predict that Irsays’ tweet would backfire when considering his Colts currently roster one of the league’s top running backs in all-pro and 2021 rushing leader Jonathan Taylor.
Now more recently, Taylor has requested a trade, and the football world has made Irsay a laughing stock. The Colts’ long-time owner seems to stay busy on Twitter.
JT’s agent beefing with Jim Irsay pic.twitter.com/UGIQCSYluk
— Hollywood Mitch (@MitchHollywood) July 30, 2023
“JT’s agent beefing with Jim Irsay”.
Bro saw Dan Snyder leave and saw an opportunity to become the league’s new worst owner
— CeeDee Lamb Enjoyer (@TDCeeDee) July 30, 2023
“Bro saw Dan Snyder leave and saw an opportunity to become the league’s new worst owner”.
Fantasy managers: “What great structure for Anthony Richardson to succeed in Indianapolis. Soundly run organization and he gets to hand off to Jonathan Taylor in a ball control offense. What could go wrong?”
Jim Irsay: pic.twitter.com/pSg2GAfjDO
— TheOGfantasyfootball (@TheOGfantasy) July 30, 2023
“Jim Irsay released Peyton Manning, let Andrew Luck get killed, and ran off the best RB prospect we’ve had in nearly 2 decades. Why can’t we have nice things?” #allchipsin
@Duck_AR5 (July 29th, 2023)
#Titans fans every time Jim Irsay speaks pic.twitter.com/Uvk5x0GeCH
— Wes on Broadway (@TitansStats) July 30, 2023
Jonathan Taylor’s Career So Far
It’s easy to see why Taylor, a former Wisconsin Badger, deserves a new deal. In three seasons, the former second-round pick has rushed for 3,841 yards, has averaged 5.1 yards per carry, and has scored 33 rushing touchdowns.
The highlight of the 24-year-old’s career came in 2021. Taylor racked up a league-leading 1,811 yards rushing, 18 rushing touchdowns, 40 receptions, 360 receiving yards, and two rushing touchdowns.
A 2021 pro bowl and all-pro selection. Number 28 has been the lifeline and centerpiece of the Colts’ offense.
Irsay Responds to His Star Running Back’s Trade Demand
Colts owner Jim Irsay, when asked later Saturday about the trade request, told ESPN the team would not trade Taylor.
“We will not trade Jonathan Taylor,” Irsay said. “That is a certainty. Not now or not in October.”
“We’re looking forward to a great season and hoping Jonathan is a big part of that,” Irsay said. “We’re looking forward to hopefully having Jonathan there.”
He added, “It was a good conversation, and I’m hopeful as we go forward.”
But Irsay still insisted a contract extension is not forthcoming.
“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.”
As of now, it is clear the Colts have no desire to extend their all-pro running back. If so, will Taylor threaten to sit out?
Obviously, the Colts hope it does not escalate into that type of a situation, especially considering that the organization used its first-round pick on rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson. A player of Taylor’s talents can help play a major role in developing a young quarterback.
Taylor is yet another example of just how disastrous the running back market has been and will likely continue to be in the future.
Overall, this is not the first time the Colts have been in a situation like this with a star running back just ask Hall of Famers Marshall Faulk and Edgerrin James.