24 August 2023 , 17:25
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Jonathan Taylor and the Indianapolis Colts are heading toward an important date for the two respective parties.
Taylor requested a trade from the Colts on July 25. The All-Pro running back was drafted by the Colts with the No.41 overall pick in 2020 and has gone on to become a key player for the team’s offense.
This off-season has seen a large amount of speculation regarding the futures of running backs across the NFL. Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs are two of the most high-profile players in that position in the league and were each handed a franchise tag.
Barkley and Jacobs each did not sign the franchise tag that was handed to them by the respective franchises. Eventually, Barkley agreed to a one-year $11 million (£8.7 million) deal with the New York Giants, while Jacobs’ future with the Las Vegas Raiders remains uncertain.
Taylor held a meeting with Colts owner Jim Irsay after a practice session earlier this month. Irsay later said that he had no intention of letting Taylor be traded, as the running back prepares to enter the final year of his rookie contract.
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It was reported by ESPN that not only have the Colts given Taylor permission to seek a trade, but have also set a deadline. The article states that the running back has until Tuesday, August 29 to find a new team.
This is a significant day in the NFL, as August 29 is the final date that teams can finalise their 53-man rosters going into the new season. The Colts will want a definitive answer on Taylor’s future either way by the time the deadline passes.
The report goes on to say that six teams have made their interest in trading for Taylor known. One of those teams is reportedly the Miami Dolphins, who are said to have engaged in talks with the Colts over a potential trade, along with one other team.
A different report in NFLAnalysis.net has claimed that the Philadelphia Eagles are also interested in trading for Taylor. The article even goes so far as to say the Eagles are preparing for what would be a “blockbuster” trade to bring the 24-year-old to the City of Brotherly Love.
The Colts, like every other NFL team, are running out of time before the start of the 2023 NFL regular season. Shane Steichen’s team are preparing for their final pre-season game of the off-season against the Eagles, before their Week 1 opener against AFC South divisional rivals the Jacksonville Jaguars on September 10.