Jonathan Taylor rumors

[Spider-Dan]

The following seems about right to me at least based on last year's stats.

https://www.nfl.com/news/rb-index-ranking-all-75-starting-running-backs-from-the-2022-nfl-season

1) McCaffrey (SF): signed a 4-year $64M extension in 2020 to make him the highest paid RB ever (is getting paid)
2) Ekeler (LAC): playing on final year of a 4-year $24.5M deal, team has refused new extension (is not getting paid)
3) Jacobs (LV): playing on franchise tag after end of rookie contract (is not getting paid)
4) Henry (TEN): playing on final year of 4-year $50M deal (is getting paid)
5) Chubb (CLE): signed a 3-year $36M extension in 2021 (is arguably getting paid)
6) Barkley (NYG): playing on franchise tag after end of rookie contract (is not getting paid)
7) Cook (NYJ): after getting cut by MIN, is playing on a 1-year $7M contract (is REALLY not getting paid)
8) Jones (GB): signed a 4-year $48M contract in 2021 (is getting paid)
9) Stevenson (NE): playing on rookie deal (is REALLY not getting paid)
10) Sanders (CAR): just signed a 4-year $25M contract (is barely getting paid?)

Of the top 10 RBs, there are at most four that you could say are being paid commensurately... and of those, only one is currently rated in the top 3.  From 2019-2021 you saw some big RB contracts go out to Elliott, Henry, Cook, McCaffrey and Jones, but since then the well has basically gone dry.

The idea of "If he was a top 3 RB they would have already given him a new contract" is very far from true in today's NFL; even you later acknowledge that refusing to pay RBs is a common theme.

[Pappy13]

Which just reinforces the whole problem with Taylor. He wants to get paid like a top 5 RB but Indy and pretty much everyone else is not prepared to do that right now. He could take a lesser contract now which he doesn't want to do or he can play out 2023 and then negotiate a new contract which he doesn't want to do either. That's why he's unhappy. He feels like he deserves to get paid now like a top 5 RB and not have to prove it in 2023. If he plays for Indy in 2023 and returns to 2021 form, Indy will pay him despite what Irsay says which is just rhetoric to not have to discuss a new contract with him now. As you said Irsay says he doesn't value a RB but he sure does want to be compensated like it's a value to him. He's talking out both sides of his mouth.

The idea of "If he was a top 3 RB they would have already given him a new contract" is very far from true in today's NFL; even you later acknowledge that refusing to pay RBs is a common theme.

That's fair enough, but then that only matters if he was a top 3 RB which he isn't.

[Spider-Dan]

That's why he's unhappy. He feels like he deserves to get paid now like a top 5 RB and not have to prove it in 2023.

Again, I don't think that's it.  We've seen players unhappy with their pay that threaten a holdout or what have you.  A player that demands a trade usually does so because they are unhappy with the team's management, either because they don't think management will be willing to pay up in the future, or due to other interpersonal issues.

Taylor isn't holding out for an extension; he doesn't want to play for the Colts because of Irsay's comments.

If he plays for Indy in 2023 and returns to 2021 form, Indy will pay him despite what Irsay says which is just rhetoric to not have to discuss a new contract with him now.

Again, I don't think that's true at all!  LV isn't paying Jacobs and NYG isn't paying Barkley.  The system is set up for them to squeeze two extra years out of a good RB on the franchise tag (at a pricey-but-manageable cost), and then dump them after they have consumed the most useful bit of tread on the tires.

As you said Irsay says he doesn't value a RB but he sure does want to be compensated like it's a value to him. He's talking out both sides of his mouth.

Well, yes: Irsay is currently representing the position that he believes he can get a first for Taylor.  His problem is that most other owners agree with his original commentary and are also not willing to pay a high cost (in $$$ or picks) for a RB.

[Pappy13]

1) McCaffrey (SF): signed a 4-year $64M extension in 2020 to make him the highest paid RB ever (is getting paid)
2) Ekeler (LAC): playing on final year of a 4-year $24.5M deal, team has refused new extension (is not getting paid)
3) Jacobs (LV): playing on franchise tag after end of rookie contract (is not getting paid)
4) Henry (TEN): playing on final year of 4-year $50M deal (is getting paid)
5) Chubb (CLE): signed a 3-year $36M extension in 2021 (is arguably getting paid)
6) Barkley (NYG): playing on franchise tag after end of rookie contract (is not getting paid)

I think you can argue that players playing on a franchise tag are getting paid, if only for a single year. If you include them 5 out of the top 6 RB's in the league are getting paid this year. Are being fairly compensated is a little more questionable.

I think this article accurately depicts my opinion on this subject.

https://www.stampedeblue.com/2023/8/21/23840878/report-the-contract-the-colts-jonathan-taylor-is-expecting-is-the-challenge-for-trade

[Spider-Dan]

First off, RBs are so underpaid that even the value of their franchise tag is pathetic (around $10M).  So given the gap between an RB's franchise tag and, say, a WR's franchise tag, I would not agree that players on a franchise tag are "getting paid."

Second, franchise tags are inflicted on players by teams.  They consume a year of a player's prime playing window and offer no future security.   No player wants to play on a franchise tag, but they effectively have no choice: it's either "Lose a prime earning year with no future security for 1 season of above average NFL pay," or "Lose a prime earning year and receive no pay."  The only reason franchise tags exist is because the NFLPA is weak.

Ultimately, when we talk about whether a player is "getting paid," the context is a contract with large guarantees.  I don't consider a player on a franchise tag to be "getting paid" for the same reason that I wouldn't consider a player on a backloaded contract with no signing bonus to be "getting paid": no one knows what the future may bring, so the only meaningful pay is that which is guaranteed.  In the context of the NFL, a $10M guarantee is not much of a guarantee at all.

[Fau Teixeira]

I'm all for player empowerment and for players to get paid as much as they can get paid.

The issue here is that the RB position is being perceived to be of little value to a team. The perception is that the drop off from RB 1 to RB 10 is minor and in the end whether you pick up a "top 5" RB, or you plug in the guy from the practice squad, the production is very similar.

So why pay large salaries to RBs when they're a dime a dozen? WRs are much more impactful in today's game.

[Dave Gray]

^ This is definitely true.

But there is an argument that there are a few guys that still have that "feature back" ability: McCaffery, Henry...maybe Taylor.

And it also might help our specific situation by alleviating some pressure on Tua and trying to preserve his brains.

[Denver2]

^ This is definitely true.

But there is an argument that there are a few guys that still have that "feature back" ability: McCaffery, Henry...maybe Taylor.

And it also might help our specific situation by alleviating some pressure on Tua and trying to preserve his brains.

There are a few guys who can still change a game. No one can argue that if we had peak Henry ( or peak Ricky ) right now that we would be that much more of a threat.

[EDGECRUSHER]

Taylor is staying with the Colts for now and placed on the PUP List. Apparently, Indy didn't get an offer to their liking so they are keeping him for now.

Hard to ask for a 1st or 2nd rounder for a guy who is on the last year of his deal and states he wants a new contract now. Even if he didn't, a 1st rounder for one year left is a big ask. Not surprised no one came close.

[Pappy13]

Taylor is staying with the Colts for now and placed on the PUP List. Apparently, Indy didn't get an offer to their liking so they are keeping him for now.

Hard to ask for a 1st or 2nd rounder for a guy who is on the last year of his deal and states he wants a new contract now. Even if he didn't, a 1st rounder for one year left is a big ask. Not surprised no one came close.

Unless he plays this year and proves that he still is a top 5 RB, I don't think they'll be much interest in signing him to one of the biggest contracts for RB's like he wants next year either. Either he plays this year and proves his worth or the best offer is probably going to be a franchise tag from Indy.

That's just my opinion, I could be wrong.

[EDGECRUSHER]

Unless he plays this year and proves that he still is a top 5 RB, I don't think they'll be much interest in signing him to one of the biggest contracts for RB's like he wants next year either. Either he plays this year and proves his worth or the best offer is probably going to be a franchise tag from Indy.

That's just my opinion, I could be wrong.

The days of big deals for RB's are almost 100% over. They break down way too fast (not their fault), the league is going away from running and replacements at 80% production or greater are dirt cheap.

[Dave Gray]

It's weird that the Colts would get nothing and now the guy is out for a quarter for the season, at least.

[EDGECRUSHER]

It's weird that the Colts would get nothing and now the guy is out for a quarter for the season, at least.

Jim Irsay is an insane man who loves painkillers. So, nothing should be surprising.

[Pappy13]

It's weird that the Colts would get nothing and now the guy is out for a quarter for the season, at least.

He's not healthy. He's still recovering from offseason surgery. There was not really any expectation that he would play right away if he was traded anyway.

[Dave Gray]

He's not healthy. He's still recovering from offseason surgery. There was not really any expectation that he would play right away if he was traded anyway.

I'm just saying from the Colts perspective.

They had an opportunity to cut ties and get 2 second rounders for a guy who's going to not be ready for the season, and then presumably they're going to lose anyway.