The Colts running back deserves to be one of the highest paid, if not THE highest-paid running backs in the league. But it's unlikely it's going to happen.
I think the 2021-22 season could provide a different perspective. Wentz was the 9th highest paid player in the league. If Taylor was the highest paid running back with a game manager for QB, at minimum they’re a playoff team, if not more. I don’t think it’s fair to dismiss Taylor’s excellence that year because business resources were allocated incorrectly.
This is getting me more interested than ever for Colts training camp. Lots of story lines. Looking forward to more insight as August draws nearer. Thank you for the column.
It’s pretty hard for the average fan to have much sympathy for anyone playing a game they probably have always loved, and dreamed of doing, for upwards of $4,000,000 per year for multiple years. It’s way more money than almost everyone in the world makes in their lifetime. For a game.
I certainly understand that feeling and those are really big numbers these guys are arguing over. But I think there are a couple of things to consider.
First of all, the NFL earns over a billion dollars a year. When it comes to money, any number involved with this league is going to be stupidly large. But, at the end of the day, the NFL earns those billion dollars, or more. Any of those dollars that aren't earned by the players is going to end up in the owners' pockets. Who do you watch on Sundays?
The other thing is, at the NFL level, football is no longer a game. It's a business for everyone involved and for the players, its a profession, a job, a career. One that can end, or be severely shortened, in an instant. The average NFL career is still only about four years. Most of these players have four to six years to earn as much money as they can and then they're done, they're not even 30, and whatever they earned, and saved, is what they have to build their whole lives, and their families lives.
It is a lot of money, yes, sir. But if the money's there, and it is, I'd rather see the players get as much as they can. There's always going to be plenty for the owners.
"The smart move is to bide your time, get as much out of Taylor as humanly possible, then move on down the road to a cheaper, healthier model with far fewer miles. Simple, harsh economics. Fair? No. Reality? Yes."
This sentiment is brought to you by the fossil who just threw a public hissy-fit about SON OF THE NATIONAL expecting him to justify his salary by driving 395 subscriptions when he wasn't feeling too hot.
It's always fun to read sportswriters passing judgment about other people have to endure without complaint (players objecting to being mishandled; fans being extorted for new stadia)-- and then compare it to how their employers treat them.
No, I'm not taking the side of THE ATHLETIC (which was always a Silicon Valley shuck). And, as someone who's had three heart surgeries-- and was required to work remotely a couple of days after two of them-- I get where you're coming from.
But if you're going to write "This is just the way things are nowadays today", show some ethical consistency. Jonathan Taylor wanting to choose his employer-- or be paid proportionately to his contributions-- isn't comparab;le to you wanting a yacht, son.
I agree that what is fair and whet is real are two different things. However I was a little disappointed in how you described this situation with little empathy after just reading about your experience at the athletic. I realize that athletes make a whole lot of money even at the lower amounts like $4.3 million. However, I think they are just comparing themselves to the others just like you compared yourself to other writers at a company. Sounds like the Colts are acting like the Athletic and you are ok with that point. I think the Colts treat some players with preferential treatment but not all. I think that is why JT is mad. Not saying he is dealing with it the best way but I think that is his perspective.
This whole situation is sad for us all. Not only are the names used as examples in this story great players, they mostly are even better human beings. Changing times are tough times for many. The running backs are the latest casualty of this.
Coming from you, my friend, that means everything. Thanks so much.
I think the 2021-22 season could provide a different perspective. Wentz was the 9th highest paid player in the league. If Taylor was the highest paid running back with a game manager for QB, at minimum they’re a playoff team, if not more. I don’t think it’s fair to dismiss Taylor’s excellence that year because business resources were allocated incorrectly.
Taylor has star quality and the fans like him, that’s a nice thing to have. Name recognition has value in the sports business.
Nice work. Looks like you haven’t missed a beat.
This is getting me more interested than ever for Colts training camp. Lots of story lines. Looking forward to more insight as August draws nearer. Thank you for the column.
It’s pretty hard for the average fan to have much sympathy for anyone playing a game they probably have always loved, and dreamed of doing, for upwards of $4,000,000 per year for multiple years. It’s way more money than almost everyone in the world makes in their lifetime. For a game.
I certainly understand that feeling and those are really big numbers these guys are arguing over. But I think there are a couple of things to consider.
First of all, the NFL earns over a billion dollars a year. When it comes to money, any number involved with this league is going to be stupidly large. But, at the end of the day, the NFL earns those billion dollars, or more. Any of those dollars that aren't earned by the players is going to end up in the owners' pockets. Who do you watch on Sundays?
The other thing is, at the NFL level, football is no longer a game. It's a business for everyone involved and for the players, its a profession, a job, a career. One that can end, or be severely shortened, in an instant. The average NFL career is still only about four years. Most of these players have four to six years to earn as much money as they can and then they're done, they're not even 30, and whatever they earned, and saved, is what they have to build their whole lives, and their families lives.
It is a lot of money, yes, sir. But if the money's there, and it is, I'd rather see the players get as much as they can. There's always going to be plenty for the owners.
Have we heard from Irsay on the topic? Seems any movement will come from an owner rather than a GM, and Irsay feels like the best candidate.
I think JT is in a tough situation.
Plane and simple.
The league changed.
That position isn’t as valuable as it was even 3 years ago.
"The smart move is to bide your time, get as much out of Taylor as humanly possible, then move on down the road to a cheaper, healthier model with far fewer miles. Simple, harsh economics. Fair? No. Reality? Yes."
This sentiment is brought to you by the fossil who just threw a public hissy-fit about SON OF THE NATIONAL expecting him to justify his salary by driving 395 subscriptions when he wasn't feeling too hot.
It's always fun to read sportswriters passing judgment about other people have to endure without complaint (players objecting to being mishandled; fans being extorted for new stadia)-- and then compare it to how their employers treat them.
No, I'm not taking the side of THE ATHLETIC (which was always a Silicon Valley shuck). And, as someone who's had three heart surgeries-- and was required to work remotely a couple of days after two of them-- I get where you're coming from.
But if you're going to write "This is just the way things are nowadays today", show some ethical consistency. Jonathan Taylor wanting to choose his employer-- or be paid proportionately to his contributions-- isn't comparab;le to you wanting a yacht, son.
I agree that what is fair and whet is real are two different things. However I was a little disappointed in how you described this situation with little empathy after just reading about your experience at the athletic. I realize that athletes make a whole lot of money even at the lower amounts like $4.3 million. However, I think they are just comparing themselves to the others just like you compared yourself to other writers at a company. Sounds like the Colts are acting like the Athletic and you are ok with that point. I think the Colts treat some players with preferential treatment but not all. I think that is why JT is mad. Not saying he is dealing with it the best way but I think that is his perspective.
Love reading your work Bob! Some of my earliest sports memories are reading your articles with my father. Keep up the good work!
I really enjoy the local stories.
1. Drop the tags or revamp it giving weight to plays, stats and starter value.
2. Give each team one contract that doesn’t hit the cap. The QBs take up so much of the cap it takes away from the rest of the positions.
Just guessing here, but I imagine that most of the owners don’t want that non-cap contract. That’s just more $$$ out of their own pockets.
I’m sure you are right.
This whole situation is sad for us all. Not only are the names used as examples in this story great players, they mostly are even better human beings. Changing times are tough times for many. The running backs are the latest casualty of this.