The Indianapolis Colts could end up trading one of their best offensive players this year in Jonathan Taylor, according to Sports illustrated’s Connor Orr.
Taylor was the best running back in the NFL in 2021, leading the league with 332 carries, 1,811 yards, and 18 touchdowns. But he couldn’t manage to keep it up last season as he was limited by injuries and only appeared in 11 games.
Taylor will be keen on setting himself up for a lucrative deal as he heads into the final season of his rookie contract, but he might not be wearing the same uniform while he attempts to recall that 2021 form.
Orr reckons the RB will be traded at some point this year as the Colts will have a different offensive model under new head coach Shane Steichen and will look to get some value for the player, who will be a free agent after 2023.
“They will trade Jonathan Taylor at some point during the 2023 season,” he wrote as his prediction for the Colts in a piece published earlier this month.
“This isn’t necessarily a bold take. They’ll have a new offensive philosophy and will need to start long-term planning around a running game that potentially suits a different back. Taylor is hitting free agency next year and, like Christian McCaffrey with the Panthers in 2022, can only do so much for the franchise before it’s senseless to hold onto him without recouping value.”
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Trading Taylor could be the sensible thing for the Colts as they have other positions which could use an upgrade. Running backs haven’t been huge priorities for NFL teams lately either; so the Colts might not be inclined to hand the 24-year-old a big contract.
