Following Ezekiel Elliott and Dalvin Cook’s new deal, the complex running back market of the NFL started to get easier. The Indianapolis Colts Jonathan Taylor was also counting his days to get a contract extension from his team or get traded to another franchise, albeit Indianapolis didn’t grant any wish of their RB.
Jonathan left the Colts training camp to attend to a personal matter according to the team’s grant. Though he was having a contract dispute with the franchise, ESPN later disclosed the absence is not anyhow linked to his complex contract situation. However, the Colts are now thinking to grant the trade wish of their star and the Miami Dolphins are on the way to grab the chance.
Colts approved Jonathan Taylor’s request to seek a trade
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports on Monday, the Colts team has decided to grant Taylor‘s trade request, albeit the franchise’s owner Jim Irsay earlier publicly showcased his indifference to negotiate with the veteran athlete.
Colts have given All-Pro RB Jonathan Taylor permission to seek a trade, per league sources. Other teams now are weighing whether to make an offer to the Colts and what would be fair value. pic.twitter.com/AT7GgJGLAQ
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 21, 2023
The former first-team All-Pro has been seeking a contract extension from his franchise as a third-year player before the start of the training camp, but they decided not to sign a new deal with him. After sensing a sour relationship with the Colts, the 24-year-old decided to request a trade. He led the NFL in rushing yards back in 2021 and recorded a total of 3,841 rushing yards for his career as well.
Taylor is sitting on the physically unable to perform list after being placed on injured reserve in December. He sustained an ankle injury and underwent surgery in January to bounce back on the field stronger. Given his track record of success, he is very likely to attain the goal soon.
Dolphins are expected to make an offer for RB Jonathan Taylor
The Dolphins have been rumored to secure a deal for Jonathan in the past few days and with the Colts’ decision to trade their star, the rumor is hitting the headlines once again. According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the Miami-based team is set to explore a deal for the All-Pro RB.
RUMORS: The #Dolphins are expected to at least explore a trade for #Colts RB Jonathan Taylor, per @flasportsbuzz
Miami makes a ton of sense pic.twitter.com/BkRmzIvifU
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) August 21, 2023
However, the Dolphins have been linked to almost every available RB this off-season, and hence, the rumor is nothing new. Even the former Minnesota Vikings star Dalvin Cook was linked to the franchise before he finally secured a deal with the New York Jets. They already have a group of veteran RBs including Raheem Mostert, De’Von Achane, Jeff Wilson Jr., and Myles Gaskin.
If Miami trades for the footballer, they might need to put in a high effort as ESPN’s Stephen Holder revealed Indianapolis is looking for “a first-round draft pick or a package of picks that equates to as much in a potential deal”. Now, it remains to be seen if the Dolphins ultimately end up taking Taylor in their running back corps.