Jim Irsay says Colts working to 'calm' waters with Jonathan Taylor amid contract dispute

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay addressed the status of Jonathan Taylor during the 24-17 preseason victory over the Chicago Bears Saturday amid the star running back’s ongoing contract dispute with the team.

Irsay, appearing on the broadcast, expressed his excitement for having Taylor back in the fold after he returned to the team Monday.

#Colts owner Jim Irsay, speaking on the #Colts–#Bears broadcast, said, “We’re really looking forward to him to playing his way into being the Jonathan Taylor he was.”

Here is everything Irsay said on the topic: pic.twitter.com/fXCjMzTg5D

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 20, 2023

“We’re excited to have Jonathan Taylor back,” Irsay said, 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.

“Look[,] you have these problems, you know how it is. You never go in with no problems at all. These days you hope you have less contractual problems because the way the CBA is and they work a lot of things through. But you have them and that’s what I know [general manager] Chris Ballard is going to work hard on and try to get the waters as calm as they can and go forward.”

Jonathan Taylor dealing with personal matter, Colts return TBD

Taylor, working his way back from a right ankle injury, remains on the physically unable to perform list (PUP). The Colts placed Taylor on the PUP list on July 25, and the 24-year-old has made it clear to the team he won’t return to the field until he is 100% healthy. Two days after reporting back to training camp, Taylor left the team again to tend to a personal matter. The absence, per the team, is excused.

Taylor remains at a contract impasse with the Colts as he enters the final year of his rookie deal. To this point, Indianapolis has declined to engage in contract negotiations with Taylor, who requested a trade last month. Irsay has publicly said the franchise won’t trade Taylor — a free agent at the end of the 2023 season.

Taylor battled injury during the 2022 season, appearing in 11 games for the Colts. He finished the year with 861 rushing yards and four touchdowns. In 2021, Taylor’s second year in the league, the former Wisconsin star produced at an incredibly high level. He rushed for a league-leading 1,811 yards and scored 18 touchdowns on the ground. Taylor added 40 receptions for 360 receiving yards and two scores.