Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor is likely whistling with happiness at work today. Nothing specifically has happened directly to him, but something that happened with another running back, Bijan Robinson of the Atlanta Falcons, will have an impact on Taylor's hopes and dreams.
Taylor wants a contract extension, and his current deal ends after the 2026 season. Robinson also wanted an extension, and he just got one that will pay him for three years and as much as $75 million a season, according to NFL insider Adam Schefter. The average annual salary of $25 million is the highest ever for an NFL running back.
Robinson is a fantastic player, and he has earned his huge raise. But is he better than Jonathan Taylor? No. The Falcons back is also not much younger than Taylor (Robinson is 24 years old and Taylor is 27), so when it comes to negotiations, Indy can't try to tell Taylor's agents that they are worried about age being a factor.
Jonathan Taylor should ask for Bijan Robinson-type money from the Indianapolis Colts
If Taylor gets a new three-year contract, he would only be 30 years old by the time it ends, unless, and let's hope this happens, the Colts make the Super Bowl in the 2029 season, in which case Taylor would have just turned 31 at the time the game is played. Still, that isn't ancient, and he could still be very productive.
General manager Chris Ballard could have fixed the potential problem before it became one, of course. He could have worked out an extension with his superstar running back this past offseason, before players such as Robinson and the Detroit Lions Jahmyr Gibbs. Gibbs' new deal could pay him more than Robinson, further complicating matters between Taylor and Indianapolis.
Gibbs has played for three seasons and led the league in touchdowns with 20 in 2024. Had 18 last year. He has two seasons with at least 1,223 yards rushing and 1,839 total yards, with a high of 1,412 rushing yards. Like Robinson, he is 24 years old.
Robinson has two seasons out of three with at least 1,456 yards rushing (his high was in 2025 with 1,478), and he led the NFL with 2,298 total yards. He had 11 touchdowns after having 15 the year before. He is an extraordinarily well-rounded back.
Taylor, though, has three seasons of at least 1,431 rushing yards with a high of 1,811. He has twice led the league with 20 total touchdowns, including last season. He has also had a season with more than 2,000 total yards when he had 2,171 in 2021.
The above is pointed out to show that if Bijan Robinson can get $25 million a season, then Jonathan Taylor should certainly be asking for that much from the Indianapolis Colts, or any other team, if he hits free agency next year. Someone will pay him what he wants. Hopefully, Indy is the team.
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