Analyst explains why Colts shouldn't expect much for Taylor

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor. Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Analyst explains why Colts shouldn't expect much in return for Jonathan Taylor

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 7/29/23

News of star running back Jonathan Taylor's trade request sent shockwaves through the NFL on Saturday, and while many would expect the Indianapolis Colts to receive a king's ransom in exchange for Taylor's services, one analyst says not so fast.

Shortly after the Taylor bombshell, Jeff Darlington of ESPN polled several general managers throughout the league who said the potential trade return would be "minimal" at best.

I’ve asked a few GMs about Jonathan Taylor’s trade value, and it sounds minimal for many reasons: Most notably, it’s a one-year rental. As one GM noted, next year’s RB market is going to be saturated. No team is likely to do a long-term deal now when RB value could keep dropping.
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) July 30, 2023

For starters, Taylor is only one season away from free agency, and any team acquiring him would have no assurances he'd be with the team beyond 2023.

Furthermore, if Taylor wanted to stay, that same team would have to sign him to a lucrative contract on top of trading away top-tier assets to acquire him. Also, as Darlington noted, the 2024 free-agent class is flooded with running backs, including Taylor, Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, Tony Pollard, Austin Ekeler and possibly Dalvin Cook.

Field Yates of ESPN agreed with Darlington's breakdown, adding that trading Taylor will be an "extremely tricky proposition."

"While the Colts don't seem inclined to pay top of the market for a RB, they also are going to ask for a steep package in return," Yates Tweeted. "Finding a team willing to pay the trade price and the contract price is really hard."

Despite the obstacles, a split between Taylor and the Colts seems imminent. Taylor reportedly requested a trade out of Indianapolis after meeting with owner Jim Irsay on Saturday.

However, Irsay's initial response isn't likely to help matters, saying that the NFL "rolls on," whether he or Taylor is in the league or not.

"If I die tonight and Jonathan Taylor is out of the league, no one's gonna miss us," Irsay said. "The league goes on. We know that."

More than likely, this is only the beginning of the messy divorce, but it should make for some exciting training camp fodder as the 2023 NFL campaign nears.

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