The Indianapolis Colts have granted running back Jonathan Taylor permission to seek a trade, according to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter. This news comes as a surprise to many, as Taylor had been a key part of the Colts’ offense in his rookie season.
Taylor was selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft and quickly established himself as the Colts’ lead back. He finished his rookie season with 1,169 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns, both of which were the second-most among all rookie running backs. He also added another 522 receiving yards and three touchdowns through the air.
The Colts’ decision to grant Taylor permission to seek a trade is likely due to the emergence of Nyheim Hines as a reliable receiving option out of the backfield. Hines finished the 2020 season with 645 receiving yards and four touchdowns, which was more than Taylor’s total.
It remains to be seen what teams will be interested in trading for Taylor. He has proven to be a capable runner and receiver, but his value could be limited by the fact that he is entering the final year of his rookie contract.
Regardless of where Taylor ends up, it’s clear that the Colts are ready to move on from him. It will be interesting to see what kind of return they get for him, and how his departure affects their offense going forward.
