How Jonathan Taylor, Colts agreed on new contract
INDIANAPOLIS — Colts running back Jonathan Taylor had a bounce in his step Wednesday afternoon while preparing to suit up for his first padded practice of the season.
It was a big day because it marked the first hurdle toward the expanded playing time he’s expected to receive against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday (1 p.m. ET, CBS), when he’ll ramp up his involvement in his second game of the season.
“Another step,” said Taylor, all smiles at the prospect of additional touches. He had seven in his Week 5 debut. “I can’t wait to attack today.”
The scene seemed unlikely not so long ago. Taylor’s excitement, his mere presence on the roster, and — most of all — his new three-year contract were hardly certainties before all recently became reality.
Six weeks ago, Colts general manager Chris Ballard described Taylor’s messy contract dispute with the team with rare transparency, saying, “I’m not going to sit here and give you some rosy picture like, ‘Oh, everything’s OK.’ It sucks for the Colts. It sucks for Jonathan Taylor. And it sucks for our fans.”
So, how did a contract standoff that led to a trade demand and frustration on both sides give way to the sort of progress that produced the $42 million extension Taylor signed last week?
As one team source summarized, it boiled down to a simple concept: “Ego versus outcome.” In other words, for both sides, inflexible goals had to yield to achieving the best result.
“There was just a lot of work trying to mend the spirit and the heart,” Colts owner Jim Irsay said. “Everyone has their heart in the right place, but it doesn’t always come out that way.”
That proved very true in recent months. A situation touched off by the Colts’ decision to deny Taylor’s request for a contract extension in the spring evolved into a full-blown public spate after Taylor reported for training camp in July. Taylor made a trade demand the day he arrived. Later, Irsay and Taylor’s agent, Malki Kawa, exchanged unfriendly words on social media. Taylor even left camp on two separate occasions.
After briefly allowing Taylor to seek a trade — but ultimately declining the available offers — the Colts placed Taylor on the physically unable to perform list because of a previous ankle injury. The decision, which meant Taylor would miss the first four games, bought the sides time to figure out how to proceed. But progress still hinged on the parties navigating hard feelings.
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