Jonathan Taylor finally got the contract extension from the Indianapolis Colts that he’s been seeking, and he’ll return to the field with Indy on Sunday, against the Tennessee Titans. On Saturday, the day before his season debut, Taylor signed a three-year contract extension that’s worth up to $42 million, with $26.5 million guaranteed.
This is the outcome everyone always wanted, but it took a less than ideal journey to arrive at this outcome. Things got very messy and public, and once Jonathan Taylor requested a trade, the fear was that things were beyond repair. However, general manager Chris Ballard told everyone that relationships can always be repaired, and he proved that to be true.
The Colts and Taylor have a franchise legend to thank for this relationship being repaired. After the deal was signed, team owner Jim Irsay revealed to reporters that Hall of Fame running back Edgerrin James acted as a mediator between Taylor and the organization, helping them repair things.
Jonathan Taylor on Edgerrin James mediating his relationship with the Colts:
— Nate Atkins (@NateAtkins_) October 8, 2023
"Being able to gather advice from someone who's done what you're trying to do, has walked that path, I think that was instrumental. I don't think it would be a smart move to not take (that) advice."
Edgerrin James helped Colts and Jonathan Taylor repair relationship
James was definitely the perfect person to intervene. He was drafted by the Colts in 1999, and dominated as the team’s running back for seven seasons. However, Indy didn’t pay him, allowing him to walk in free agency. Despite that, he maintained a great relationship with the organization, and is always helping Indy any way he can.
Being a former running back, and having a relationship with the organization, James definitely understood both sides of the equation. He was able to get everyone on the same page, and Colts fans are certainly thankful for that, because now, Taylor is tied to the organization for at least four more years.
Taylor is now thrown back into the mix of a promising young Colts team. Without him on the field in the first four games, the offense has already looked good. That has only led everyone to imagine how great things will be once Taylor is lined up next to rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson. With those two in the backfield, the other surrounding weapons, and Shane Steichen orchestrating it all, this offense has a chance to be really dangerous moving forward.