Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor may have summed up how every back in the league has felt watching this offseason play out.
Less than 10 minutes after the NFL’s deadline for players under the franchise tag to come to terms on a multi-year extension with their respective teams passed on Monday, Taylor reacted on social media.
The possible 2024 free agent watched as the 4 p.m. deadline expired and star running backs Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs would be forced to play this season on a franchise tag or sit out.
“Wow,” the one-word tweet from Taylor read.
Barkley, Jacobs and fellow tagged back Tony Pollard have all become victims of a changing view on just how valuable running backs are worth financially in the NFL.
The three stars haven’t been the only ones impacted by the current mindset, with the Minnesota Vikings releasing Dalvin Cook in June following his fourth consecutive 1,000-yard season.
Cook has still not signed a new contract, and veterans Ezekiel Elliott and Leonard Fournette have also remained free agents with training camps quickly approaching.
Taylor likely has a vested interest in the ongoing contract situations for Barkley, Jacobs and Pollard as he gets ready to navigate his own soon.
Taylor is entering the final year of his rookie deal with the Colts.
“You definitely have to pay attention, just so you know, ‘OK, what type of space are you entering into?'” Taylor told ESPN in June. “And you just hope from the track record here [in Indianapolis] that things are being evaluated the right way.”
He added later: “You see why guys request trades. They just want to feel valued by not only their coaches, their teammates, but the organization as well.”
Taylor rushed for 3,841 yards and 33 rushing touchdowns over his three seasons with the Colts, and in 2021, he set a franchise record with 1,811 rushing yards.
He had a down year in 2022 due to an ankle injury that limited him to 11 games and 861 yards on the ground.
