Jonathan Taylor Agrees to Two-Year, $44 Million Extension with Colts
Sports News
The Indianapolis Colts and running back Jonathan Taylor agreed Thursday to a two-year contract extension worth $44 million, keeping the three-time Pro Bowler in Indianapolis through the 2028 season.
The deal, which can max out at $47 million with incentives, guarantees Taylor $39 million and stands as the largest-ever third contract for a running back in NFL history, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. It marks the second extension the Colts have given Taylor, following an initial deal in October 2023.
A Record-Setting 2025 Season
Taylor is coming off arguably the best season of his career. In 2025, he led the NFL in rushing attempts (323), total touchdowns (20) and rushing touchdowns (18), while finishing third in the league in both rushing yards (1,585) and explosive runs (36). He also posted career highs of 46 receptions for 378 receiving yards. Along the way, Taylor became just the fourth player in NFL history to score at least three touchdowns in five games in a single season and the fourth to record 18-plus rushing touchdowns in multiple career seasons — production that had the Colts on pace to break a 63-year-old NFL rushing record for much of the year.
He also rewrote the Colts’ record book. In Week 10, Taylor broke Pro Football Hall of Famer Edgerrin James’ franchise record for career rushing touchdowns, finishing the season with 69, and set the franchise mark for longest rushing touchdown at 83 yards. He’s now the fifth player in NFL history with three or more career games of 200-plus rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns — and enters 2026 just 1,628 yards behind James’ franchise rushing record of 9,226.
Since Indianapolis drafted him in the second round in 2020, Taylor has rushed for 7,598 yards on 4.9 yards per carry, added 1,469 receiving yards and scored 76 total touchdowns. He was a first-team All-Pro in 2021 after a league-leading 1,811 rushing yards, becoming the first Colts running back to earn the honor since James in 1999.
“I’d definitely love to be a Colt for life,” Taylor said in June, as the sides worked toward a new deal.
Colts owner and CEO Carlie Irsay-Gordon spoke to Taylor’s standing within the organization in July: “I love Jonathan, and I’m really proud of the leader he’s become on our team. He’s one of our pillars. His picture is on the stadium for a reason.”
Part of a Reshuffled Running Back Market
The extension comes two days after Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson signed his own record-breaking deal, adding Taylor’s name to a summer that has reset the running back market. Unlike Robinson and Detroit’s Jahmyr Gibbs, who both held in during camp this offseason, Taylor reported and practiced with the Colts while negotiations continued, with no indication of trade demands or friction between player and team.
With the extension in place, Taylor heads into training camp as the centerpiece of an Indianapolis offense looking to build on last season’s success — and as one of the highest-paid running backs in football for years to come.
