Appears Like Colts Proprietor Jim Irsay Gained’t Be Paying Star RB Jonathan Taylor

A primary-team All-Professional and Professional Bowl choice following the 2021 season, Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts was the NFL’s dashing chief with 1,811 yards, good for a 106.5 yards per sport common. Taylor’s 20 complete touchdowns and a pair of,171 yards from scrimmage additionally led the league. 

Hampered by an ankle damage he suffered in Week 4 that restricted him to 11 video games, Taylor’s numbers took a substantial dip final season, his third within the league, as he rushed for simply 861 yards and 4 touchdowns. The Colts limped to a 4-12-1 file, placing them in place to pick quarterback Anthony Richardson at No. 4 general within the NFL Draft.

Richardson, who performed his school ball at Florida, agreed to phrases on a four-year, $33.99 million totally assured deal that included a $21.72 million signing bonus paid up-front earlier this month. Taylor, who was drafted within the second spherical with the forty first general choose within the 2020 draft,  is coming into the ultimate yr of his rookie contract and is ready to earn $4.304 million in base wage.

This disparity between the salaries of the 2 gamers is an instance of the pay hole that NFL working backs have been complaining about in latest weeks as the marketplace for their providers continues to shrink as a result of comparatively replaceable nature of the place.

Taylor, who reported to Colts coaching camp with teammates on Tuesday and was positioned on the bodily unable to carry out listing, as his ankle continues to heal, expressed issues about with the ability to money in with a second contract after his rookie deal expires following the season.

“Seeing guys struggle, you simply hope that issues work out for them,” Taylor mentioned final month, based on The IndyStar. “You see why guys, they request trades. They simply need to really feel valued, not solely by their coaches, their teammates, however the group as nicely, and I feel it’s one thing you’ve received to proceed to do. It’s unhappy, and it sucks. Particularly, talking for the working again place, as a result of I can communicate firsthand, we do lots…You simply need to be appreciated for what you convey to the group.”

Primarily based on what Colts proprietor Jim Irsay tweeted final night time, it doesn’t sound as if the group goes to point out Taylor a lot appreciation on the negotiation desk.

“NFL Working Again state of affairs — Now we have negotiated a CBA, that took years of effort and laborious work and compromise in good religion by either side,” Irsay tweeted. “To say now {that a} particular Participant class needs one other negotiation after the actual fact, is inappropriate. Some Brokers are promoting ‘dangerous religion.’”

The tweet didn’t go over nicely with Taylor’s agent.