Indianapolis Colts and Jonathan Taylor agree to two-year extension
The Indianapolis Colts and running back Jonathan Taylor have reached an agreement on a two-year, $44 million contract extension. Reports on Thursday confirmed the deal, which includes $39 million in guaranteed money and has a potential maximum value of $47 million. This new agreement secures Taylor with the team through the 2028 season.
Taylor, who is 27 years old, was entering the final year of his previous contract. This extension marks his third significant deal. Unlike some other running backs who sought new contracts this summer, Taylor did not hold out from training camp. He had, however, expressed his desire for an extension to remain with the Colts beyond 2026. Negotiations for this deal were reportedly smoother compared to past discussions regarding his previous contract in October 2023, which involved public exchanges between Taylor, his agent Malki Kawa, and the late Colts owner Jim Irsay.
The average annual salary of $22 million places Taylor second among running backs, just behind Bijan Robinson of the Atlanta Falcons, who recently signed a deal worth $22.25 million annually. Robinson’s contract, agreed upon earlier in the week, was a three-year, $66.8 million agreement. Taylor was informed of Robinson’s deal after practice and indicated he would be speaking with his agent regarding his own negotiations shortly thereafter.
Taylor’s Performance and Impact
Taylor is coming off consecutive seasons with over 1,400 rushing yards. In the 2025 season, he improved upon his previous figures, recording 1,585 rushing yards. He also led the NFL in carries with 323, rushing touchdowns with 18, and rushing first downs with 84. His performance in 2025, which included 20 total touchdowns (18 rushing and two receiving), tied him with Hall of Famer Lenny Moore for the most in a single season in Colts history. Taylor is the only Colts player to achieve this threshold twice, having also done so in 2021.
The running back’s career average of 90.5 rushing yards per game is the highest among active players and ranks fifth all-time. He trails only Hall of Famers Jim Brown, Barry Sanders, Terrell Davis, and Eric Dickerson in this statistic. Taylor, a three-time Pro Bowler, holds the Colts franchise record with 69 rushing touchdowns. His 7,598 rushing yards place him second in franchise history, behind Hall of Famer Edgerrin James’s 9,226 yards.
Future Outlook for the Colts
Securing Taylor’s contract was a high priority for the Colts’ front office and coaching staff as they head into the 2026 season. The team views Taylor as a foundational player for their long-term plans. Colts principal owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon and General Manager Chris Ballard have both praised Taylor this offseason, referring to him as a franchise pillar. Taylor himself has expressed a desire to be a “Colt for life,” noting the special environment within the organization.
Ballard, who is entering the final year of his own contract, traded up to select Taylor with the No. 41 pick in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. While Taylor has dealt with some durability issues, missing at least three games in each of the 2022, 2023, and 2024 seasons, he has consistently performed as one of the league’s top running backs. The new deal ensures Taylor will remain a key part of the Colts’ offense for the foreseeable future, with the potential for a fourth contract before his age-30 season.
Source: nfl.com
