After months of negotiations and bad blood, running back Jonathan Taylor and the Colts finally reached an agreement on a long-term extension. Indianapolis is expected to sign the fourth-year veteran to a three-year, $42 million deal that begins next season.
The agreement came after it seemed the relationship between Taylor and the Colts was beyond repair, as Taylor at one point requested a trade, but instead they found common ground ahead of Taylor’s expected season debut on Sunday.
As a result, football analysts had plenty to say regarding Taylor, who led the league in rushing in 2021, finally getting paid.
The #Colts do the right thing and Jonathan Taylor gets PAID. Months in the making. It took a trade request, and endless negotiations. Now done. https://t.co/cTH1YWPxCB
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 7, 2023
Colts GM Chris Ballard reached out to Taylor‘s camp last week and initiated dialogue that led to this. A massive about-face for both sides involved. https://t.co/3laS8NE0PV
— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) October 7, 2023
Chris Ballard might have been the only person who believed the relationship between Taylor and the #Colts was repairable.
— George Bremer (@gmbremer) October 7, 2023
He was correct. https://t.co/bEFEzveM98
Love this. Jonathan Taylor is getting paid with a substantial portion guaranteed. Colts get an elite RB and an even better person for 3 years.
— Stephania Bell (@Stephania_ESPN) October 7, 2023
And we get to see Taylor take the field again. https://t.co/wKT7F7YBpY
Oh. So everyone calmed down? https://t.co/ERWthQRnrA
— Scott Hanson (@ScottHanson) October 7, 2023
Whoa.
— Kevin Bowen (@KBowen1070) October 7, 2023
Said all along I thought 3 years for $39 million was the ballpark.
Front load it. You have the money. Support your young QB.
The relationship has been repaired. Took some time but credit to Chris Ballard for getting that done. https://t.co/l5KEDQW1sN
With Taylor now getting his extension, the next group of running backs due for a new contract include Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, Tony Pollard and Derrick Henry.
Taylor began the season on the PUP list while rehabbing from ankle surgery that he had in the offseason. Instead of trading Taylor, Indianapolis now locks their best offensive weapon in for three more seasons alongside rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson.
