Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay. Robert Scheer/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

Jonathan Taylor's agent fires back at Colts owner Jim Irsay

By Vinny Somma | Last updated Jul 26, 2023 10:33 PM ET

The running back market has hit an impasse of sorts. With star talents such as Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs failing to land multi-year deals this summer, NFL clubs have shown time and time again their unwillingness to commit to the position long-term — regardless of how vital that player might appear from the outside looking in.

Indianapolis Colts star running back Jonathan Taylor is hopeful that his situation will prove different from the likes of Barkley and Jacobs. Just two years removed from leading the league in both rushing yards (1,811) and rushing touchdowns (18), Taylor is only 24 and entering the final year of his rookie deal.

However, a tweet from Colts owner Jim Irsay on Wednesday hints at Taylor having an uphill battle on his hands.

Irsay tweeted Wednesday his disinterest in entertaining a renegotiation of the collective bargaining agreement to help support the state of the running back position and its inferior market.

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

Irsay's comments garnered the attention of Taylor's agent, Malki Kawa, who quickly fired back at the Colts owner:

Bad faith is not paying your top offensive player https://t.co/ZYvrLhxygG
— malki kawa (@malkikawa) July 27, 2023

While the running back position has depreciated over recent years, Taylor finds himself in a somewhat favorable situation. As former NFL agent, Joel Corry wrote for CBS Sports, the Colts are one of the few teams with a prominent running back that is set up to "accommodate a lucrative running back contract."

NFL Running Backs are getting HOSED in contract negotiations. Here is the solution. pic.twitter.com/XMBaRIdQsc
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) July 20, 2023

The team's decision to use a top-five pick on Anthony Richardson in the 2023 NFL draft significantly reduces the likelihood that a high-priced signal-caller will eat into Indianapolis' payroll in the foreseeable future, leaving the Colts with spending money to invest in Taylor if they should choose to.

Vinny Somma

Vinny Somma boasts nearly a decade of experience as a sports writer and editor. He held the positions of NBA and UFC Editor at Heavy. Prior to this role, he acted as the lead contributor for Heavy's coverage of the New York Giants, Boston Celtics and Fantasy Football.

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