Jim Irsay's $20 million plan to fly orca across country muddies Jonathan Taylor situation

The move is admirable, if not unconventional, but has led to a renewed discussion about the status of running back Jonathan Taylor. The conversation surrounding the 2021 rushing champion's future with the organization had already been dominating Colts headlines in recent weeks.

Now, with news that Irsay is set to dish out $20 million for the orca project — a transport that could come "within the next 18 months," according to the New York Post — fans are questioning his priorities.

"Lolita, who also goes by Tokitae, would have to be loaded into a glass tank at the Miami Seaquarium by a harness and taken to the airport by truck, The Times of London reported," per the New York Post report. "The 21-foot whale would then be loaded into a large cargo plane and flown 2,700 miles to the Seattle airport. From there, she would then be put on another truck and released in the Salish Sea near the San Juan islands, according to the paper."

The 5-foot-10, 226-pound Taylor was selected by Indianapolis in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft and after a solid rookie year where he racked up 1,468 yards from scrimmage and 12 total touchdowns, he separated himself in 2021. Taylor led the NFL that year in rushing attempts (332), rushing yards (1,811) and rushing touchdowns (18) among other categories and was named to his first Pro Bowl, earned First Team All-Pro honors and was the AP Offensive Player of the Year runner-up.

He took a step back during the team's disastrous 4-12-1 campaign last year, finishing with 861 rushing yards and four touchdowns in just 11 games.

Irsay and Taylor met last weekend and it's been reported that the 24-year-old has requested a trade, which the owner evidently shut down.

It should be noted that the $20 million plan for "Lolita" has been in the works for weeks, while the Taylor drama has come up more recently. Still, it hasn't stopped Colts fans from taking to social media to express their displeasure with Irsay, as they try to hold onto their best offensive weapon.