Colts and Jonathan Taylor Finalize a 3-Year, $42 Million Contract Extension, According to Sources

The Indianapolis Colts officially announced a contract extension with All-Pro running back Jonathan Taylor this past Saturday.

An individual well-acquainted with the specifics of the agreement informed The Big Big News that the contract extension is valued at $42 million, which includes $26.5 million in guaranteed money, spanning a period of three years. This individual requested anonymity due to the confidentiality of the terms, which have yet to be publicly disclosed.

Only San Francisco’s Christian McCaffrey, earning $16 million per annum, and New Orleans’ Alvin Kamara, at $15 million annually, outstrip Taylor’s yearly compensation among running backs.

The contract extension was disclosed shortly after the Colts removed Taylor from the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list and cleared the uncertainty regarding his availability for the upcoming Sunday game against the Tennessee Titans, who currently hold a 2-2 record.

Taylor commenced the season on the PUP list after undergoing ankle surgery, compounded by a contentious offseason contract negotiation. As a result, he was absent from all offseason activities and the entirety of the training camp while recovering from his surgery.

Taylor had expressed dissatisfaction regarding the financial valuation of running backs in the NFL, criticizing the low $10.1 million franchise tag number allocated to the position—a figure only surpassing that of kickers and punters. Subsequently, he requested a trade, which the Colts authorized him to explore.

Returning to practice earlier this week, Taylor was keen to leave the contract dispute in the past and focus on his performance on the field.

“Being present here indicates commitment. My immediate focus is to give my utmost in the first practice,” Taylor stated, making his first public remarks since June. “It has been approximately 290 days since I last did what I love, and absence certainly makes the heart grow fonder. Thus, my primary objective is to excel from day one.”

Taylor’s reentry significantly fortifies the Colts’ offensive lineup. Zack Moss has been a competent fill-in during his three starts, providing a reliable alternative to the swift 2021 NFL rushing champion. The Colts also have a versatile rookie quarterback in Anthony Richardson, who set a Super Bowl-era record by running for four touchdowns in his first three games.

Since being drafted 41st overall in the second round, Taylor has been an instrumental asset for the Colts. Filling in for the injured Marlon Mack during the first week of his rookie season, Taylor accumulated 1,169 rushing yards and secured 36 receptions for an additional 299 yards and a touchdown. He further enhanced his credentials in his second year, capturing the league’s rushing title with 1,811 yards and 18 touchdowns. Additionally, he led the NFL in yards from scrimmage (2,171) and was tied for the league lead with 20 total touchdowns.

all career lows.

Contributions for this report were made by AP Sports Writer Michael Marot.

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More about Jonathan Taylor Contract Extension

• Indianapolis Colts Official Announcement
• NFL Salary Rankings for Running Backs
• Christian McCaffrey’s Contract Details
• Alvin Kamara’s Contract Details
• Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) List Explained
• Jonathan Taylor’s Career Stats
• The Big Big News NFL Coverage