Jonathan Taylor Made The Colts Pay

The NFL is a copycat league. When one team finds success with a certain style or play, you can bet other teams will follow suit. The same goes for players. See success, chase that same success. Bijan Robinson just became the highest paid running back in the league. Jonathan Taylor was well aware of that new deal and made the Indianapolis Colts pay. Taylor signed a two-year extension worth $44 million worth up to $47 million and includes $39 million guaranteed, per a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Ian Rapaport on Thursday monring.

Taylor was informed of Robinson’s 3-year, $75 million deal during training camp earlier this week. With $51 million in guarantees, it’s a whopper. Said tongue in cheek, Taylor was looking for the Colts to pony up, which played out with an ensuing contract extension. 

Yes, he was joking, but then again, he was dead serious and should be. Rewind three years ago and running backs were a dime a dozen. At least that’s how the league saw them. After a zoom call, Taylor became the poster child for “running backs for better rights” and held out on the Colts. That produced a nice contract and helped reset the running back market. Robinson’s contract is a reflection of Taylor’s effort.

Why shouldn’t Taylor reap the ultimate rewards himself? He was a dark horse candidate for MVP over the first ten weeks of last season. He broke huge runs, set franchise records, and carried the Colts at times. There is a lot of distance between that unfortunate offseason and the accompanying ankle injury. Time has passed but the results live on. Luckily for Taylor, he was able to cash in one more time. 

The Colts paid handsomely to keep Jonathan Taylor. Based on last season’s production that should be no problem.

Editor’s note: This article was originally written before Taylor agreed to his contract extension and has been updated to reflect the signing.