Colts GM noncommittal on Jonathan Taylor extension: RB ‘market is what the market is’

WESTFIELD, Ind. — Jonathan Taylor has one year and $4.3 million left on his rookie deal, but he sees the writing on the wall.

The pleasant, nonchalant tone he used in April when discussing a potential contract extension is not the tone he’s used of late. The Colts running back recently voiced his frustration via Twitter about the devaluation of his position, and Indianapolis general manager Chris Ballard acknowledged that he’s aware of Taylor’s displeasure.

1. If you’re good enough, they’ll find you.

2. If you work hard enough, you’ll succeed.

…If you succeed…

3. You boost the Organization

…and then…

Doesn’t matter, you’re a RB https://t.co/mG6In1ATGg

— Jonathan Taylor (@JayT23) July 17, 2023

The 24-year-old still reported for camp Tuesday before the team placed him on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. Taylor underwent right ankle surgery in January and missed all of OTAs and veteran minicamp.

“Every player wants to be with an organization long term,” Ballard said prior to the news of Taylor remaining sidelined. “I don’t think any player is any different.”

But this is different, and if Taylor was playing a different position, perhaps he wouldn’t feel the need to fight for what he believes is a fair wage. This offseason, the Vikings cut Dalvin Cook after four straight 1,000-yard seasons, the Raiders used the franchise tag on Josh Jacobs after he won the 2022 rushing title and the Giants placed the franchise tag on Saquon Barkley following a stellar campaign before coming to a team-friendly, one-year agreement Tuesday.

Taylor is the youngest and, arguably, the best of the bunch. He said at the end of veteran minicamp that the ball is in the Colts’ court to get a deal done. However, that doesn’t mean an extension is a formality — at least not at the price point he’d like. Jacobs will earn $10.1 million in 2023 if he plays on the franchise tag, Barkley’s new deal is reportedly worth up to $11 million, and Cook remains unsigned.

📍 Back at #ColtsCamp. pic.twitter.com/vplt5wcgdl

— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) July 25, 2023

Miles Sanders’ four-year, $25.4 million free-agent deal with the Panthers is the high-water mark for running backs this offseason.

“The market is what the market is,” Ballard said when asked about the state of running back contracts. “But saying that, like I’ve always told you, you pay good players. You pay guys that are gonna help you win, regardless of the position. We think very highly of Jonathan. … We think that’ll play out over time and work out the way it should either way.”

Taylor delivered a record-breaking campaign for the Colts en route to a first-team All-Pro nod in 2021, but Ballard noted that Taylor played a career-low 11 games last year due to a nagging right ankle injury.

“We had long talks back in May and June,” Ballard said of Taylor. “We’ll have another one here (Tuesday).”

Taylor was slated to talk with the media this week, but his addition to the PUP list could alter those plans.

GO DEEPER

Ten pressing questions ahead of Colts training camp: Is Anthony Richardson the answer?

Michael Pittman Jr.’s money

The Colts’ top wideout, Michael Pittman Jr., is also entering a contract season and has had ongoing discussions about an extension. Ballard spoke highly of the 25-year-old’s fiery on-field demeanor and how much he appreciates his approach.

“I love Pitt. I freaking do. He likes to compete,” Ballard said. “And he had frustrating moments last year. He was frustrated because he was a competitor, and here we were as a team, and we weren’t playing well. … I don’t mind guys that are emotional because they want to win and guys who want the ball.”

Pittman recorded a career-high 99 catches for just 925 yards and four TDs last year as Indianapolis struggled to throw the ball downfield. He’s hopeful that changes this year with the addition of rookie Anthony Richardson and Gardner Minshew, who are competing for the starting job at quarterback.

Asked directly about Pittman receiving an extension, Ballard said only that the negotiations would work themselves out. Pittman echoed that message and said he’ll remain in good spirits whether a deal gets done “sooner or later or never.” Unlike Taylor, he’s playing at a premium position, so barring a serious injury, his big payday is a matter of if, not when. Pittman hinted that he’s willing to listen to all offers if he becomes a free agent next summer.

“Every year that you play is like a job audition for 32 teams,” Pittman said. “That’s kind of how I’ve taken every year because you never know what happens. You get to the end of the year and they might be like, ‘You know what, Pitt, you stink. We don’t want (you) no more,’ and then I gotta go find a new place to play.”

Colts linebacker Shaq Leonard will not start training camp on the PUP list. (Justin Casterline / Getty Images)

Shaq Leonard update

Shaq Leonard will practice Wednesday as he continues recovering from his second back surgery. The four-time All-Pro underwent two procedures in five months last year to address a nerve issue that sent pain shooting down his lower left leg. Leonard hasn’t been cleared for contact as he rejoins his teammates, but it is a promising sign since the last time Leonard spoke to the media in April, when he said he wasn’t “doing too much running.” The 27-year-old was limited to just 74 defensive snaps in three games last season.

“We’ve got a progression (plan) in play here,” Ballard said. “He’ll start out practice and pretty much just go through individual (drills), start building his endurance back up, and slowly but surely, we’ll get there.”

In addition to Taylor, Ballard said defensive end Tyquan Lewis (patellar tendon recovery) and rookie tight end Will Mallory (foot) will begin training camp on the PUP list. Pittman (hip), tight end Drew Olgetree (ACL recovery) and rookie cornerback Julius Brents (wrist) will be limited, while second-year tight end Jelani Woods (hamstring) said he’ll be a full go after being sidelined during OTAs and veteran minicamp.

Gonna try to bring you all daily video updates throughout #Colts camp. Here’s my quick reaction to report day, including Jonathan Taylor going on the PUP list as soon as I was about to leave!!

Lol back at it tomorrow in my newly acquired 🪣 hat —> https://t.co/8cP7uKGzwU pic.twitter.com/Vo4Akall0K

— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) July 25, 2023

‘Bad choices’

Ballad addressed the dismissals of cornerback Isaiah Rodgers Sr. and defensive end Rashod Berry, who violated the NFL’s gambling policy by betting on NFL games in 2022. Both have been suspended indefinitely and can apply for reinstatement in 2024.

“They made bad choices. … (The NFL) is clear on what can and can’t be done,” Ballard said. “They broke the rules, and they’re paying the price for it. I think they’ll learn a lesson from it.”

Berry is an NFL journeyman, while Rodgers was poised to become a full-time starter for the first time in his career. Ballard said he was unaware of Rodgers’ gambling violation prior to the draft, when the team selected three cornerbacks (Brents, Darius Rush and Jaylon Jones).

Rodgers was entering a contract year, and despite Ballard previously mentioning at the NFL owners’ meetings in March that he expected Rodgers to step up in the defensive secondary, he said Rodgers’ misconduct didn’t change the outlook of the cornerback room.

“We drafted three corners,” Ballard said. “There was a reason we drafted them.”

Gauging Anthony Richardson

Ballard continued to pump the brakes on the Richardson hype train, emphasizing that no one within the Colts organization is crowning him just yet. The No. 4 pick signed his rookie deal Tuesday and will resume a QB competition with Minshew on Wednesday. Ballard noted the importance of Richardson getting live reps so that he can eventually assume the starting role, but he commended Minshew for not conceding anything.

“He is competitive, and he sees himself as the guy, but he’s also a great teammate, and he’s gonna do what’s best for the team, too,” Ballard said of Minshew. “But he’s gonna compete. So is Sam (Ehlinger). They’re gonna compete to play. You wouldn’t want it any other way. … To me, that’s how you grow.”

All three quarterbacks joined several skill position players in Miami recently for an unofficial minicamp before the start of training camp. Second-year wide receiver Alec Pierce said the players worked out at the University of Miami. Richardson, a Florida native who played at the University of Florida, felt right at home.

“It’s funny he pulled up in a Florida shirt to the U, so that was a little bold considering they were letting us use their facilities,” Pierce said, laughing. “I thought that was funny, and I liked that. So yeah, it was good to kind of meet him off the field and in more of a casual setting.”

Richardson will throw in front of the Colts fan base for the first time Wednesday, and Ballard said he’ll watch closely to see how Richardson handles the spotlight.

The rookie said “pressure doesn’t do anything but create a legend” on the night he was drafted, but Ballard isn’t looking to build any statues between now and the season opener. He’s just looking for progress.

“When you draft (a quarterback) high, he’s automatically stamped as the savior before he’s ever played a down,” Ballard said. “Him and I have had long talks about being able to handle the highs and lows of the position.”

(Top photo of Jonathan Taylor: Justin Casterline / Getty Images)

The Football 100, the definitive ranking of the NFL’s best 100 players of all time, goes on sale this fall. Pre-order it here.