Daniel Jones and Alec Pierce weren't the only major players the Indianapolis Colts gave big money to this offseason, now that Jonathan Taylor has joined the party. The biggest news during training camp last week wasn't on the field, but off it, and any thoughts leaning toward another awkward contract stalemate can be put to rest.Â
The Colts gave Taylor a two-year, $44 million contract extension, which runs through the 2028 season. The deal includes $39 million in total guaranteed money, marking the largest third contract ever given to a running back in NFL history. It's Taylor's second major extension with the Colts, with the first coming in 2023.
Now, the Colts have one less thing to worry about next summer, and Taylor can focus on putting together another good season, which would follow his MVP-like run last year. With Taylor paid, it puts him in a respectable group with a handful of other top NFL rushers, two of whom also got paid last week. The question is, where does Taylor rank among them?
Where does Indianapolis Colts' RB Jonathan Taylor rank with the likes of Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson?
Taylor joins Jamhyr Gibbs (Detroit Lions), Bijon Robison (Atlanta Falcons), Christian McCaffrey (San Francisco 49ers), and Saqoun Barkley (Philadelphia Eagles) among the league's top-five paid backs. This list doesn't necessarily speak to the top-five backs in the league, pay unrelated, because Derrick Henry would be on this list. As far as annual salary goes, though, where does Taylor sit?
1. Saquon Barkley ($20,600,000 million per year)
Barkley should have the edge over the others simply because of what he's done since being traded to the Eagles. His first season was like a bomb went off, racking up over 2,000 yards on the ground on a career-high 345 carries, with 13 total touchdowns. In the past two seasons, Barkley has 3,145 yards, 625 carries, and 20 touchdowns.
Last season was a significant dip in production, but the Eagles weren't all that great either. Still, without Barkley, they would be worse. Running at 100%, Barkley is still the league's best rusher, and a bounce-back season should prove that.Â
2. Christian McCaffrey ($19,000,000 per year)
McCaffrey comes in at second because of his dual-threat abilities—he's just as dangerous through the air as he is on the ground. McCaffrey has done everything on the offense for the 49ers, especially over the past three seasons. Excluding the 2024 season, which he essentially missed in its entirety, McCaffrey has amassed over 4,000 yards of total offense, 752 touches, and 38 total touchdowns.
McCaffrey is lethal as a runner and a passcatcher, but his elite abilities as a rusher and the workload the 49ers trust him with make him the league's second-best running back. Barring any major injuries, McCaffrey should again stack up the numbers this season.Â
3. Jahmyr Gibbs ($22,500,000 per year)
It's 100% Gibbs's time to shine in Detroit now that David Montgomery is with the Houston Texans. No more sharing the football or splitting snaps—Gibbs is the undisputed main guy. Amazingly, sharing the load with Montgomery didn't hurt Gibbs's numbers. In the last two seasons, Gibbs has run for 1,412 yards (2024) and 1,223 yards (2025), with Montgomery surpassing 700 yards each season.Â
Gibbs was always going to be the one the Lions would attach their future to, but now he's the main target in the backfield. If there's one back who can race toward 2,000 yards this season, it's Gibbs.Â
4. Jonathan Taylor ($22,000,000 per year)
Taylor is coming off the second-best season of his six-year career, about to be seven. Taylor rushed for 1,585 yards, 18 touchdowns (matching his 2021 number), on 323 carries (nine short of his 2021 number). The Colts were in no position last season not to run Taylor heavily, and his production showed for it.Â
In the past two seasons, Taylor has racked up over 3,000 yards on the ground and over 600 carries. He's been the main source of offense for his team, and it's one of the many reasons why he's a top back in the NFL.
5. Bijan Robinson ($22,250,000 per year)
In 2 to 3 years, Robinson might be at the top of the best running backs list, no matter the money; he's that great, and his trajectory is insane. If only he played on a good team. In any case, Robinson could argue he's the No. 1 rusher in terms of electricity, his running style, and the types of moves he makes that call for it.Â
Robinson has come within inches of back-to-back 1,500-yard seasons, which means he's bound to hit the mark this season, right? There's no slowing Robinson down, and if there's a running back who could make for a solid MVP case this season, he's the one.Â
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