Deal Details and Rankings
Jonathan Taylor and the Indianapolis Colts have agreed to a two-year, $44 million contract extension, according to multiple reports. The deal includes $39 million guaranteed and has a maximum value of $47 million. Taylor's average annual salary of $22 million ranks second among running backs, trailing only Bijan Robinson's $22.25 million with the Falcons. In terms of guaranteed money, Taylor's $39 million is the third-most among running backs, while the total value ranks seventh.[S1][S2]
The extension comes as Taylor enters his seventh season in Indianapolis. He had one year left on his previous contract, and with the new deal, he is now under contract through the 2028 season. According to Ian Rapoport, this is the largest third contract a running back has ever received, and Taylor is among the highest-paid running backs of all time in career earnings.[S2]
Record-Setting Technicality
While the deal's surface numbers don't set records, Taylor achieved a record-setting mark on a technicality. Rapoport noted that the total average cash owed per season, combining his old and new years, equates to $19 million per season, which is a record. This is because Taylor was owed $13 million on his previous contract for 2026, which is added to the extension figures. Robinson, in contrast, was scheduled to make $15 million in 2026 and 2027 combined before his new money.[S6]
Context and Market Impact
Taylor's deal follows a week of significant running back contracts, including Bijan Robinson's three-year extension worth up to $75 million with the Falcons. Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs, who has been a hold-in at training camp, remains the biggest name seeking an extension. Taylor had previously expressed a desire to be a 'Colt for life' and had battled injuries from 2022-24 but appeared in every game last season.[S1][S3]
The 27-year-old earned his third Pro Bowl nod in 2025 after rushing for 1,585 yards and an NFL-high 18 touchdowns, leading the league with 323 carries. He also set career highs with 46 receptions for 378 receiving yards. Taylor is the second-leading rusher in Colts franchise history with 7,598 yards, trailing only Hall of Famer Edgerrin James. His agent, Malki Kawa of First Round Management, finalized the deal.[S3][S5]
