Jonathan Taylor is arguably the Indianapolis Colts' best player. One could say Quenton Nelson or Sauce Gardner, but no one is more important to their side of the ball than Taylor. If he misses time, the offense will be gutted, and for Indy to reach the postseason for the first time since 2020, the offense needs to be brilliantly effective.
That means the team needs a happy and healthy Taylor, and not just in 2026, but in several years beyond. The problem is his contract situation. He wants to get paid a bunch in a new deal, and one that could be the final contract of his career. He is only 27 years old, but he's toted the ball a lot in his career, and running backs tend to diminish quickly as they get close to 30.
But the running back deserves to get paid as, when healthy, he's been among the best at his position in the NFL.
Indianapolis Colts fans will have a keen eye on how training camp unfolds for Jonathan Taylor
He also had a contract dispute once before with Indianapolis in 2023, and while he was recovering from offseason ankle surgery, his being placed on the physically unable to perform list to begin the season might have been contract-driven. He played immediately after signing his extension. Taylor has no injury currently, so the same situation wouldn't unfold.
That doesn't mean Taylor won't arrive at training camp on Tuesday, and when practice begins on Wednesday, he doesn't sit out. Based on 2023, that scenario isn't all that far-fetched. Maybe an extension is currently being worked out, though general manager Chris Ballard doesn't like to be proactive about such things. A happy Taylor is important, however.
How much to offer Jonathan Taylor is where it gets really complicated. The player hopefully wants to be with Indianapolis for a long time, and the only reason that would be in question is that the team has dealt with unhappy players this past offseason.
Cornerback Kenny Moore asked to be traded and then to be released in hopes of going to a winning team where he is a better fit in the defensive system. He remains a free agent.
Quarterback Anthony Richardson requested a trade, too. Nothing materialized, however, and he remains on the roster for now.
Linebacker Zaire Franklin voiced his displeasure with the direction of the team, and he was traded to the Green Bay Packers. Indianapolis revamped its off-ball linebacker group, and it was needed.
Taylor hasn't requested to be traded. Not yet anyway. He knows how valuable he is to the Indianapolis Colts, and the team hopefully understands that, too. But fans will know there is a disconnect and growing problem if the running back comes to camp and doesn't practice fully. The organization needs the running back to win, but not just in 2026. In 2027 and beyond as well.
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