Team news: Indianapolis Colts | Page 11

After a conversation in his owner's bus, Jonathan Taylor is looking to motor out of Indy. The All-Pro running back requested a trade following a meeting with Jim Irsay on the team bus during Saturday's training camp session, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported. Taylor, who is currently on the physically unable to perform list, wants a contract extension that puts him in line with the league's highest-paid running backs, but the Colts have not yet made a contract offer, according to Rapoport.

Related Players: Zack Moss, Evan Hull

"We're not trading Jonathan ... end of discussion," Jim Irsay texted Albert Breer. "Not now and not in October!"

It doesn't seem like a trade would pick up steam without another team absolutely overpaying for the services of the running back. Taylor is set up as a top-10 fantasy RB but his upside might be capped in an offense that may not be great.

Per beat writer Boyd, "Richardson has a lot of growing to do, and while Gardner Minshew was brought in to help mentor him, it’s not like Minshew is going to lie down and give the rookie the starting job. Richardson must show strides with his grasp of the playbook, throwing mechanics and leadership to garner more first-team reps throughout the summer. My belief is that Richardson won’t be a better quarterback than Minshew, a five-year vet, by Week 1. "

Boyd would go on to say that Anthony Richardson does have an out, and that would include receiving more first-team reps than Minshew until the Colts "finally pull the trigger and name him the starter." This doesn't mean that Richardson won't see action as a rookie, just that it doesn't seem likely that he gets the entire 2023 season to himself.

After months of sidestepping the question of a contract extension with the Colts, RB Jonathan Taylor has changed his tone, remarking that "it's kind of on (the Colts) right now." Beat writer James Boyd believes that Anthony Richardson's need for some offensive stability and, of course, the quarterback's rookie contract should open the door for that extension.

Taylor just wants "to be treated fairly," but the negotiations are likely tough after missing so much time due to an ankle injury in 2022. Taylor and Richardson could turn into a very interesting 1-2 punch if the quarterback can get up to speed quickly, which makes him a top-5 RB for the foreseeable future in Indianapolis.

The article repeatedly emphasizes the need to be patient with rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson, insinuating that he may not get the job until later in the season -if at all during the rookie campaign.

GM Chris Ballard is quoted as saying, "not to crown him" just yet, while Assistant GM said, "We drafted him not for what he is,” he said, “but what he could become.”

Related Players: Gardner Minshew

Get ready for an offseason of quotes just like this. We'll need to read between the lines in this, and the many subsequent articles that are sure to touch on this exact subject. Here in mid-May, it looks like Gardner Minshew may be starting the season behind center, yet Richardson is coming off the board in the ninth round of Underdog drafts.

The Colts have released quarterback Nick Foles, the team announced Friday.

Related Players: Gardner Minshew, Anthony Richardson

With the team going and getting free agent Gardner Minshew to later pair with their first-rounder Anthony Richardson, it only makes sense to keep the depth chart free from muddle while also allowing Foles to test the waters with other teams. Maybe the veteran will rejoin Frank Reich, who is now down with the Carolina Panthers.

Former Bills’ WR Isaiah McKenzie is signing with the Colts, per his agents.

Related Players: Alec Pierce, Ashton Dulin

McKenzie had an up-and-down season, but his 42 receptions would have tied for third in the Colts' receiving room in 2022, while his four touchdowns would have tied for the lead. The former Buffalo Bill ran 80% of his routes out of the slot, so he should be able to operate as a Parris Campbell replacement.

Colts have ruled out WR Ashton Dulin, TE Kylen Granson, and CB Kenny Moore II for Sunday’s game vs. the Giants.

Related Players: Jelani Woods

Jelani Woods has 14 targets and an 11-141-0 stat line in the two games sans Granson. Woods makes for an interesting boom-or-bust option this Sunday.

The Colts are expected to place Jonathan Taylor (ankle) on injured reserve Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.

Related players: Deon Jackson, Jordan Wilkins, Zack Moss

Taylor's season is over after he suffered a right high-ankle sprain during Saturday's loss to the Vikings. As the story said, in a corresponding move, Indianapolis is promoting Wilkins to the 53-man roster, where he joins a backfield corps including Moss and Jackson. Jackson has carried the load before for the Colts when Taylor was out, but the team is likely in evaluation mode so all three backs could factor into the workload.