Jonathan Taylor is special. Not just on the field for the Indianapolis Colts, but how the organization sees him. One needs no further proof of that than to learn that general manager Chris Ballard and the running back agreed to an extension, something Ballard doesn't normally do proactively.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the extension will be for two years and $44 million, with a max of $47 million. Most importantly, $39 million of the contract is guaranteed.
What isn't overly clear is whether one of the years will be a reworking of his 2026 contract, but it appears that the two seasons will be 2027 and 2028, so Taylor will be in Indy for at least three more seasons. At that point, he will still be 29 years old and could be in line for another extension, assuming he remains an elite player at his position.
Indianapolis Colts reportedly ink Jonathan Taylor to an extension
The deal is less in total and less annually than the one agreed to by running back Bijan Robinson and the Atlanta Falcons. That deal was for three years and worth up to $75 million. Taylor's contract will make him the second-highest-paid RB annually, behind only Robinson. For now.
The Colts running back will likely be passed in salary by Jahmyr Gibbs after he presumably signs an extension with the Detroit Lions. Gibbs' extension could be more than Robinson's.
Not that any of the money involved with Robinson and Gibbs affects Indianapolis Colts fans. Knowing that Taylor is going to be a part of the team (and, let's be honest, the focal point of the offense) makes Thursday a happy day. Plus, Indianapolis didn't waste much time extending Taylor after the Robinson deal was announced, so Indy's star running back should be happy, too.
The question for Chris Ballard is what to do next. The other potential Pro Football Hall of Famer on the roster who Indianapolis drafted, left guard Quenton Nelson, is also due to hit free agency next offseason. He could be signed to an extension before the season begins, too.
That would keep Taylor and Nelson under contract for the next several seasons, and they will join quarterback Daniel Jones and Wide receiver Alec Pierce in that regard. The roster is shaping up to be a good one, and one that could push the team to the playoffs for the first time since 2020.
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