The situation between the Indianapolis Colts and star running back Jonathan Taylor continues to add more public layers by the hour.
After meeting with owner Jim Irsay on his luxury bus Saturday, Taylor reportedly requested a trade from the team as the contract talks have reached a boiling point.
When Taylor’s request for a trade was reported officially, Irsay responded yet again.
Text from @Colts owner @JimIrsay on Jonathan Taylor’s trade request (as reported by @RapSheet): “We’re not trading Jonathan… end of discussion. Not now and not in October!”
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) July 30, 2023
Also after the meeting on the bus, Irsay met with the media to continue a discourse that does not need to be as public as it has been.
In that media session, Irsay mentioned that the meeting with Taylor was not about an extension. He also dropped a bombshell of a quote talking about how the league will move on from any situation.
#Colts owner Jim Irsay: “If I die tonight and Jonathan Taylor is out of the league, no one’s gonna miss us. The league goes on. We know that. The National Football (League) rolls on. It doesn’t matter who comes and who goes, and it’s a privilege to be a part of it.”
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) July 30, 2023
And it appears that quote from Irsay is not going over well, which is a perfect summation of how this entire situation has gone for both Taylor and the Colts.
I'm told this quote from #Colts owner Jim Irsay is not going over well right now. https://t.co/RTU7LWeTVp
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) July 30, 2023
What should have been a typical, private contract discussion behind closed doors has now turned into a circus.
It appears the bridge between the Colts and one of their beloved stars is now burned, and only time will tell what the next move for either side will be.