Jonathan Taylor will be on record watch next season

After an incredible year two, Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor will be watched next season to see if he’ll break any league records.

The 2021 season was a magical one for Jonathan Taylor. Taylor was able to establish himself as the best running back in the league while rushing the Indianapolis Colts to several victories. At just 23 years old, Taylor will return for his third season and look to be even more impressive than last year— if that’s possible.

During his elite season last year, Taylor notched several accomplishments and also put his name down in the record books. He set a franchise record for rushing yards in a single season with 1,811, and another franchise record for rushing touchdowns in a single season with 18. He also tied Lenny Moore’s Colts record for most total touchdowns in a season with 20.

Taylor also tied LaDainian Tomlinson and John Riggins for most consecutive games with a rushing touchdown in a single season at 11. Now, there’s a belief that Taylor will be able to get even more single-season league records next year.

In a recent piece by Kristopher Knox from Bleacher Report, Knox looks at “NFL Records That Are Most Likely to Fall During the 2022 Season.” One of the records named was the single-season scrimmage yards record, set by Chris Johnson in 2009 when he picked up 2,509 yards from scrimmage.

Knox believes that Jonathan Taylor is a back that can threaten this record in the 2022 season.

Can Jonathan Taylor break the single-season scrimmage yards record?

Last season, Taylor had 2,171 scrimmage yards— 360 receiving yards in addition to his previously mentioned 1,811 rushing yards. Knox did the math and says that Taylor will just need to average 20 more yards per game while playing all 17.

Knox also highlights how the addition of Matt Ryan at quarterback can make the record more attainable for Taylor. Ryan could provide the Colts with a more consistent passing attack that could make defenses hesitant to stack the box, and he also historically gets his running backs involved in the passing game.

This means Taylor could have more touches as a receiver, adding more yards to the guaranteed large sum that he will pick up on the ground. However, it’s also possible that a more balanced offense could limit Taylor’s production. That may be bad for Taylor’s chances at the record books, but it should be good for the team and Taylor’s longevity.

Either way, Taylor is a special back that will be the central focus of Indy’s offense and he has the chance to set many more records in what fans are hoping is a lengthy career in Indianapolis.

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