The Indianapolis Colts reportedly agreed to an extension on Thursday with running back Jonathan Taylor that will keep the elite player in Indy through 2028. His two-year extension will pay him as much as $47 million, with $39 million of that guaranteed. The news was reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter.
But now that Taylor's contract has been done, the team shouldn't be satisfied overall. Other moves are needed to help the coming season be successful, but also keep the team good beyond this year. Making the playoffs for the first time since 2020 would be great, of course, but why not do so again in 2027 and so on?
As for Taylor, his extension will make him the second-highest-paid running back in the league, behind the recently extended Bijan Robinson of the Atlanta Falcons. Taylor will probably remain No. 2 until the Detroit Lions extend RB Jahmyr Gibbs.
With Jonathan Taylor extended, the Indianapolis Colts should turn their attention to these three items
Indianapolis still has plenty of cap space left for the coming season, though. General manager Chris Ballard isn't hamstrung from making moves due to financial constraints. There are no excuses for not doing what follows.
Extend left guard Quenton Nelson
Assuming Jonathan Taylor keeps playing at the level he has, he could end up in the Pro Football Hall of Fame five years after he retires. The same could be said of Nelson, who hasn't missed making the Pro Bowl in any of his eight years, and six times has been named First- or Second-Team All-Pro. He is also a free agent next offseason.
Why not pay him now? The team has the cash to do so, and while Nelson is 30 years old, he plays a position where he could be elite for several more seasons. Currently, Nelson is the fourth-highest-paid left guard in the NFL at $20 million a season. Giving him $25 million over two or three years beyond 2026 should be a no-brainer.
Sign free agent wide receiver Keenan Allen
Extending players usually free up even more immediate cash, and let's assume that is the case with Taylor. Even if that isn't the case, the Indianapolis Colts have enough money to sign a free agent wideout whom the team could install as WR3. Keenan Allen makes the most sense.
Allen spent several seasons in head coach Shane Steichen's offensive system when both were with the Los Angeles Chargers, so his fit is natural, and he wouldn't need any time to adjust to what the Colts are doing. The receiver is also the kind of player that the traded Michael Pittman Jr. is, and he would be the exact kind of possession receiver the team needs, even at 34 years old.
Sign edge rusher Joey Bosa or Von Miller
Just as with wide receiver, Indianapolis has a grave need at edge rusher. Laiatu Latu might be ascending into a very good player long-term, but he needs help. Free agent signees Arden Key and Micheal Clemons might not offer much more than what Kwity Paye did the last four years. Depth at the spot matters, especially high-end depth.
Miller might be 37 years old, but he is still extremely productive as a pass rusher and against the run. He has a high football IQ and would give defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo a savvy and efficient veteran.
The same holds true of Joey Bosa, who has struggled with injuries for much of his career, but did play in 14 games with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2014, and 15 games last season with the Buffalo Bills. Bosa would be more expensive than Miller, most likely, but Indianapolis has the money to sign either (or both).
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