Indianapolis Colts allow Jonathan Taylor to pursue trade

The Indianapolis Colts are giving Jonathan Taylor the opportunity to pursue trades, according to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

The news is the latest development in a turbulent offseason for the star running back and the team that drafted him. He is currently in the final year of his rookie contract and looking for a long-term extension.

He reportedly requested a trade from the Colts last month.

The 24-year-old Taylor has rushed for over 1,000 yards twice in his three-year career. He broke out during his sophomore season in 2021, leading the NFL in rushing with 1,811 yards and rushing touchdowns with 18.

He earned first-team All-Pro honors during the season. Taylor played in only 11 games in 2022 due to injury but still ran for 861 yards on 192 attempts.

For his career, Taylor has rushed for 3,841 yards on 756 carries with 104 catches for 802 yards. He played in one playoff game during his rookie year, running the ball 21 times for 78 yards in a loss to the Buffalo Bills.

Taylor was selected with the No. 41 overall selection in the 2020 NFL Draft. He was a two-time Doak Walker Award and two-time unanimous All-American during his time at Wisconsin.

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

Taylor has been on the physically unable to perform list for about a month as he has been recovering from a right ankle injury. He returned to training camp last week but left during the middle of the week to deal with a personal matter.

Just a few days ago, Colts owner Jim Irsay said the team was excited to bring Taylor back into the group.

“We’re excited to have Jonathan Taylor back,” Irsay said Saturday during Indianapolis’ preseason game versus the Chicago Bears, via Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. “I know these things are always difficult. I respect any time people are, they’re trying to fight for their position for their families and all those things. And, you know, l’ve been around it so long that I just think the biggest thing that I preach is timing is everything. We’re really looking forward to him to playing his way into being the Jonathan Taylor he was. And we’re really excited to have him and we want to do everything we can to support him and embrace him as a Colt, because he’s a great young man. I can’t say enough about him and his family.”