The Indianapolis Colts and Jonathan Taylor have agreed on an expensive new two-year contract extension.
WESTFIELD, Ind. — The Indianapolis Colts and star running back Jonathan Taylor have agreed to a lucrative contract extension keeping Taylor in Indianapolis through 2028.
According to ESPN/NFL Network insiders Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport, Taylor's new deal is for two years and a base of $44 million, which can escalate to $47 million after incentives. The deal includes $39 million guaranteed.
The deal is the third-largest for a running back in NFL history, and the largest ever for a running back on their third contract.
Tuesday, on the heels of Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson signing a $22.5 million-per-year extension, Taylor was asked whether he was optimistic about his own contract situation as he entered its final year, given that Robinson's deal was one of the dominoes most likely to fall first.
"Hopefully," Taylor said. "Actually, I've got to go talk to my agent, too. I've got to go talk to him and see where things are at. You know, I've been trying to just focus on getting better, making sure I'm staying in shape. So, like I said, I have faith, so I'm going to tap in and check in with him now."
Less than 48 hours later, the three-time Pro Bowler's situation is squared away.
Taylor, 27, is coming off arguably his greatest season as a pro since joining the Colts as a second-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
He led the NFL in carries (323), rushing touchdowns (18), total touchdowns (20), and rushing first downs (84). Taylor was second in touches (369) and third in rushing yards (1,585) and yards from scrimmage (1,963), eighth among running backs in receiving first downs (15), and tied for 10th in yards per carry (4.9). He also had eight games with at least 100 yards from scrimmage (including three with 150-plus) and five games with at least three touchdowns.
Taylor set new career highs in pass targets (55), receptions (46), receiving yards (378), and tied his single-season best in receiving touchdowns (2). Taylor also reached new highs in receiving first downs (15), receiving success rate (54.5%), and pass protection grade (58.6), according to Pro Football Focus.
Taylor has led the NFL in carries, rushing touchdowns, and total touchdowns twice and was named a First-Team All-Pro in 2021 for leading the NFL in rushing yards.
In 84 career games (78 starts), Taylor has 1,551 carries for 7,598 yards (4.9 avg.) and 69 touchdowns, along with 187 receptions for 1,469 yards (7.9 avg.) and another seven touchdowns.
He needs 1,629 rushing yards to pass Edgerrin James (9,226) for the most in Colts franchise history after breaking James' career rushing touchdown mark (64) last season.
Taylor also currently ranks fifth in NFL history in rushing yards per game (90.5), behind only Jim Brown, Barry Sanders, Terrell Davis, and Eric Dickerson.
The Colts have other prominent veterans entering the final year of their contracts that they can now focus on, such as guard Quenton Nelson, wide receiver Josh Downs, and defensive tackles DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart.
