The Indianapolis Colts and Jonathan Taylor have dominated the NFL headlines over the past few weeks due to the ongoing trade request that intensified this week when the Colts granted Taylor and his representation the freedom to speak to other teams to find a potential trade destination. 

Colts have given All-Pro RB Jonathan Taylor permission to seek a trade, per league sources. Other teams now are weighing whether to make an offer to the Colts and what would be fair value. pic.twitter.com/AT7GgJGLAQ

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 21, 2023

And while the Colts granted Taylor this freedom, there's still a chance a deal doesn't come together. The reason being that the Colt still covet a top-tier trade package to move the star RB, Stephen Holder of ESPN reports that the team is "seeking a first-round pick."

This news came as a surprise to many around the league who cover the NFL, as they feel this request contradicts how they believe the team has handled the Jonathan Taylor situation. 

Irony alert: The Colts spent the entire offseason lowballing Jonathan Taylor because he’s a running back leading to a trade request…

… and now they’re going to ask for way too much in return for Taylor from other NFL teams in trade value.

— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) August 21, 2023

The Indianapolis Colts won’t pay Jonathan Taylor like he’s a top-of-the-market RB.

Yet, they’re asking for a top-of-the-market return if they trade him.

And some people wonder why NFL RBs are upset…

— Kyle Yates (@thekyleyates) August 21, 2023

The Colts seemingly:

Do not want to pay Jonathan Taylor a top of the market deal to keep him

But

Do want someone else to trade them a first round pick, which likely comes with the expectation of a massive extension https://t.co/Y8gn5ix5s8

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) August 21, 2023

Why this narrative is incorrect

Because the Colts haven't paid Jonathan Taylor, there is a belief around the league that they are "lowballing" him or do not value him enough to pay him. While I see how they jump to those conclusions, that is not the reality of this situation. 

Stephen Holder of ESPN was the first to report that the Colts haven't offered a contract to Taylor at all throughout this situation. 

NEW: Colts owner Jim Irsay clarified his comments about running backs from yesterday. But he also made a surprising revelation in my conversation w him: The Colts have not presented a contract offer to Jonathan Taylor. At all. https://t.co/tvqxozZM2D

— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) July 28, 2023

Which, at first glance, does appear to fuel the national narrative of the "Colts not valuing Taylor." But this is the stance the team is taking with all their in-house offensive free agents. They want to see how players look in their new offensive scheme under new head coach Shane Steichen—one of those players being WR Michael Pittman Jr.

So the stance the Colts are taking isn't "we will not pay you"; they simply are saying "not yet." When it comes to Jonathan Taylor, there are a few other things to consider, a large one being his recovery from an ankle procedure not being complete. 

A team source has shared with me that the ideal situation for the team with Jonathan Taylor is that he shows he is healthy and shows his ability in this offense, and then contract discussions would follow. This means the team still prefers not to trade the disgruntled RB and explains why it will take a large trade package to change their mind on the subject. 

Three teams that meet the criteria to trade for Indianapolis Colts RB Jonathan Taylor

Which NFL teams even have the ability to meet both the Colts and Jonathan Taylor’s demands?

Featured Image By: Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK