With the Colts drafting a new running back, Mack needs to have a big year if he wants to continue his career in Indianapolis.
Marlon Mack has been one of the few players on the Colts offense who can break off a big play at any time. He has excellent burst and breakaway speed. He is even coming off his best season as a pro after running for over 1,000 yards in 2019.
Unfortunately for him, the Colts drafted Jonathan Taylor out of Wisconsin in the second round. Drafting a running back that high in the draft signals that he will likely end up being the starter relatively soon. That is of course unless Mack forces them to change that line of thinking.
Mack will be a free agent after this season. In this day and age in the NFL, more and more running backs aren’t getting second contracts. Mack’s rookie deal is set to expire so that would be the scenario he is in. He needs to have a big year if he wants that extension from the Colts.
Don’t be surprised if he does just that. Mack is a tough guy who is taking this challenge in stride. For this season, he and Taylor will be a nice 1-2 punch. That will help him stay fresh which will also help his value once the season is over.
The biggest thing that Mack will have to deal with is staying healthy. He had issues with that a year ago and it hurt the offense because they didn’t have a passing game. But if he can stay healthy, he has a good chance to get that extension he is seeking.