Aug 22, 20235 min read

Quicksand

Ding-Ding. The Jonathan Taylor and Colts dramatic saga now gets closer to a hopeful finish, as the Colts have granted Taylor permission to seek a trade.

Allow the over-demanding negotiations to begin, and the drama to continue. Jonathan Taylor has put himself in quicksand with these motives, and the Colts have to deal with shipping (possibly) a disgruntled player who was just their best player a year ago. All in the midst of developing a rookie QB with just a couple of weeks until the season begins. It's hard for me to understand who is affected the most by this. I guess the outcome of a trade will truly give me clarity on this whole debacle. I do know, in my opinion, that JT is playing a dumb game.

Taylor literally thinks he is worth a Christian McCaffrey type of deal, and expects to get a contract for $16M/YR or more. The deadline to extend tagged players blew this guys' head up when he saw Barkley and Jacobs declare to be "unwanted". I have the understanding that we live in a world we can speak freely and voice our own opinion- I won't degrade him for wanting to speak up on that matter. The fact it went from a twitter tirade to skipping camp and now to seeking a trade, is flat out crazy. It's idiotic! JT, come on guy. You aren't McCaffrey. Here was his decline:

I get JT played in 6 less games, that doesn't give a full and valid excuse for us to say he wasn't on a decline. Taylor was a complete different back on the field last season. Just south of 200 carries, JT still had touches to prove he was the number one running-back going into the '22 season- but he didn't. Taylor simply hasn't proven that 2021 wasn't a fluke yet. Sorry not sorry. Meaning Taylor sure has hell hasn't proved to be worth $16Ms a year. CMC gets that bankroll because he rushes; receives; and blocks. Get up to speed, Taylor, and everyone else.

There will be suitors for Taylor, that is figured. The question is how long will negotiations go with how much the Colts are asking for right now. We shall see if they thin their asking price in the coming days, I'll tell you right here and now- Taylor is not worth a huge haul.

I truly don't believe there is too many suitors in for JT. With the final roster cut to 53 loomin', teams are stressed enough. Negotiating with the Colts' front office and Jim Irsay is going to cause massive headaches. This being Taylor's final year on his rookie deal doesn't help nor do his camp skippin' antics. What does shine bright, is that this is the prove it year for Taylor. There is no chance he holds out the season, he saw Le'Veon, he can't be that stupid to follow suit. JT holding out is LA Angels GM kind of stupid. Taylor has to play this season if he actually wants to be paid the highest back, and he knows that. JT isn't going to be traded, then get extended with the exact contract he wants. Keep dreaming, Taylor. For teams contending, JT could be a great rental.

Bears and Bucs are both slim at running-back and both have aspirations to compete for a division title. Taylor would bolster those RB rooms in a huge way. The Bears would forget about losing David Montgomery, and the Bucs would elevate their list of skill players for newly named, day one starter, Baker Mayfield- the same thing the Colts should be doing for Anthony Richardson. Instead they do the opposite. I'd be surprised if those two didn't make a phone call to Indy. Another team that could make a call is Miami, who showed interest in Dalvin Cook previously.

This is a similar situation for the Dolphins, in comparison of a mega trade to land a star running-back in their prime. Miami traded for star RB Ricky Williams in 2002 a month before Ricky's 25th birthday, for a haul of draft picks. Are the Dolphins lickin' thier chops to pull a similar trade for the 24 year old Jonathan Taylor? If they are, it sure as hell better not be for a similar haul.

Williams was a bit underwhelming in his three seasons with the Saints when you consider the haul given for him on the '99 draft day. The trade to Miami elevated Ricky's career as he led the league in rushing in his first season as a Dolphin with 1,853 rushing yards and punched in 16 toudys on top of that. Here we are in 2023, and JT is kind of a spittin' image of Ricky... in a sense. Creates a lot of appeal for that front office in Miami. Do they pull the trigger?

I don't see why not, only if it's NOT for any first round picks. I think you can get him for a 4th and a 6th if you know what you are doing. Most of that is in due part to his actions towards camp and holding out. Taylor to the Dolphins could be nuts, if he isn't a fraud. Jonathan Taylor havin' a stellar season; provin' 2021 to be no fluke; would make the Dolphins SCARY in the AFC.

Before I give my prediction, how about a fantasy prediction. Swap Taylor for Josh Jacobs. We haven't really seen any trade of that kind before, but if the Colts can't find a great trade partner to land some assets: then I would do that swap.

It takes a gamble, but it beats dealin' with a disgruntled Taylor for the season and it beats not having a great running-back to take some pressure off the rushed rookie, Anthony Richardson, if you trade JT in a different scenario that had no RB coming in return. Zach Moss and Deon Jackson fill the rest of that RB room. Indy can't have that going into week one with Richardson. Jacobs is in as big of a prove it year as you can be, being in quicksand like Taylor. It's an interesting scenario to consider in this.

If I were to predict how this ends, I lean towards Miami or Taylor staying in Indy. Chicago has the assets for any scenario, I just question their ability to pull the trigger. I think it would be a good move for them as they build around Justin Fields' progression. It's also a money move for Miami, who was tied for the 25th rushing offense last season. The intrigue rises.

Jonathan Taylor has put himself in quicksand with dividing himself from the Colts. JT knows for sure he wasn't getting a big money contract from the Colts, so I can respect it. Just tricky waters, especially with Opening Kickoff right around the corner. Hopefully it fairs well for him. Will Jonathan Taylor be dealt? Will he return to form when he returns? So, many questions.

Quicksand

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