The Indianapolis Colts finally did right by running back Jonathan Taylor by paying him a worthy extension.
Ever since Colts owner Jim Irsay needlessly antagonized the “running backs getting paid a proper salary” argument and Taylor requested for a trade, the two sides have been locked at a stalemate.
However, Taylor returned to practice with the team this week, and him getting activated off the PUP list quickly turned into a new deal and a Sunday return in a key AFC South rivalry game against the Tennessee Titans.
Now, Taylor will join new Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson as Indianapolis contends for a division title this season.
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The #Colts and star RB Jonathan Taylor have agreed to terms on a massive 3-year, $42M extension, locking him in at the top of the RB market and mending fences after a tumultuous period. $26.5M guaranteed.
Deal done by agents @MalkiKawa and Ethan Lock of @firstroundmgmt. pic.twitter.com/K0bXcWHEqo
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 7, 2023
Taylor getting paid helps the Colts keep their offense as explosive as possible during Richardson’s rookie deal and keeps him from being traded to a different franchise for his eventual payday.
Colts fans will have to be happy to have Taylor back in the lineup, and NFL fans were equally pleased to see all of this get settled after a long stretch of drama.
NFL fans had plenty of thoughts on this big deal.
Not bad at all!! https://t.co/H8DzXWAgE5 pic.twitter.com/Be6k3Awtvw
— Ev Glaze (@Everett_G07) October 7, 2023
So why even drag your feet and lose 4 weeks of one of your best players? Good for JT tho https://t.co/MWH6IRy21O
— Reeta the CFB Gatekeepa (@theNFLchick) October 7, 2023
Wow.
JT staying in Indy https://t.co/ly2l5Hk6wG
— Tom Grossi (@tomgrossicomedy) October 7, 2023
Oh. So everyone calmed down? https://t.co/ERWthQRnrA
— Scott Hanson (@ScottHanson) October 7, 2023
The script writers with an amazing plot twist https://t.co/Pt286d1yep
— fivepointsvids (@FivePointsVids) October 7, 2023
Honestly? FUN. I'll leave it to y'all to determine the prudence of this. But that's a REEEEALLY good player. I figure finding ways to make these things work for players like that isn't the WORST thing you can do. https://t.co/dzgMMor9zx
— Ryan Burns (@FtblSickness) October 7, 2023
what a strange ending to this whole thing. good for Taylor. https://t.co/MMwdTGstNP
— Denny Carter (@CDCarter13) October 7, 2023
This is the perfect structure for a RB deal https://t.co/Ws9HzjrraY
— Ian Valentino (@NFLDraftStudy) October 7, 2023
Finally we can put this behind us and move on to winning games https://t.co/IcZp9FWqwv
— Chad Zapfe (@ChadZapfe) October 7, 2023
Jonathan Taylor will be staying with the Colts.. sick back pedal from Jim Irsay 😂 https://t.co/bBWcNNN7R0
— Tom Ernisse (@DolphinsTalkTom) October 7, 2023
I did NOT see this coming but let’s freaking go!!!!! https://t.co/m8jj2T7O3B
— Jonah Indy Sports (IFB) (@indysports1985) October 7, 2023
Crazy that a “Massive” RB contract in the NFL is basically Mitchell Robinson money https://t.co/gpBX3j5wn4
— Matt (@sixringsofsteeI) October 7, 2023
This seems great. With the RB market stalling out, I'd hoped we'd see something sensible. Every high-profile player wants to reset the market at their position, but this doesn't seem to do that?
We needed — and this maybe provides — a framework for RB extensions going forward. https://t.co/CnFyxlchwP
— Ben Gretch (@YardsPerGretch) October 7, 2023
The Colts did all that talking and postering for nothing. Good for Taylor. Good for the running backs https://t.co/X1eHvJ4zbF
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) October 7, 2023
This is exactly the type of deal I envisioned would be great for both sides – Taylor gets a reasonable bag but it’s also perfect term from Indy’s side since it’s entirety will be on ARich’s rookie deal.
Thought he might get up to 16 per but the market was clearly not there. https://t.co/v3Fj9IKn7U
— Carter Donnick (@CDonnick1) October 7, 2023
At minimum, The Raiders should offer Josh Jacobs a similar contract https://t.co/DTMYsw5i04
— Obi (@3THWENT) October 7, 2023
