RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 3 sourcesColts' Jonathan Taylor gets historic $44 million contract update originally appeared on The Sporting News .
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The Indianapolis Colts started the 2025 season strong. They went 8-2 over their first 10 weeks, relying on quarterback Daniel Jones and a steady run game built around Jonathan Taylor.
But then the injury bug hit hard. Jones tore his Achilles in Week 14, forcing Indianapolis to start rookie Riley Leonard. Later, they signed 44-year-old Philip Rivers, who had been retired for more than four years. The team collapsed, losing their final seven games to finish 8-9 and miss the postseason.
However, JT remained productive throughout the setback. He played all 17 regular-season games, leading the NFL with 18 rushing touchdowns and finishing with 1,585 rushing yards.
The 27-year-old also gained a solid 787 rushing yards after contact. Given that solid performance, the Colts have decided to give him his flowers before the new season's kickoff.
They have agreed to terms with Taylor on a two-year, $44 million extension, according to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport . The new deal is worth up to $47 million and includes $39 million guaranteed. Rapoport called it "the largest third contract for a running back ever" in his post breaking the news.
The #Colts and star RB Jonathan Taylor have agreed to terms on a big-time 2-year, $44M extension, per me and @AdamSchefter . $47M is the max with $39M guaranteed. The largest 3rd contract for a RB ever and one of the highest paid ever. Deal done by @malkikawa of @FirstRoundMgmt . pic.twitter.com/mqgaPDiAFw
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 6, 2026 His new extension gives him a $22 million average annual salary, placing the New Jersey native just behind the $22.25 million annual deal Bijan Robinson signed with the Atlanta Falcons two days ago.
The negotiation process lacked the tension of his previous contract talks. In 2023, contract disputes led Taylor to sit out practices and request a trade before eventually signing his first three-year, $42 million extension.
This time around, there was no drama. Taylor reported to training camp as a full participant from day one, reinforcing his earlier public statements about wanting to spend his entire career with the Colts.
The Colts are a sneaky good squad now. With Jones cleared for training camp and fully healthy, there's no reason Indianapolis can't make noise in the AFC. And then the motivated Taylor, who makes the Colts an incredibly difficult team to defend heading into the season.
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