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AIPROPX ReportYahoo Sports · 1h ago
Projecting Jonathan Taylor’s next contract
WESTFIELD, INDIANA - JULY 29: Jonathan Taylor #28 of the Indianapolis Colts participates in training camp at Grand Park Sports Campus on July 29, 2026 in Westfield, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Jonathan Taylor is actively having negotiations with the Colts on a 3rd contract with the team, one that would pay him handsomely once his current deal expires after this upcoming season. After previous reports suggested that Jonathan Taylor would be a hold in during Training Camp, he reported fully on the first day of camp with a very positive update regarding his negotiations.
Colts RB Jonathan Taylor says of his contract situation, “there’s been some good conversations” and “I have faith” in the team coming through with a new deal.
— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) July 29, 2026
Jonathan Taylor on his contract, says there have been conversations: “I have faith things are moving in the right direction”
— Joel A. Erickson (@JoelAErickson) July 29, 2026
All signs point to the Colts and Taylor’s camp having productive conversations and could reach an agreement prior to the 2026 season. Taylor himself has repeatedly expressed his desire to be a Colt for life, and the Colts themselves seem eager to keep their All Time Rushing TD leader and reigning 2025 TD leader (and likely soon-to-be All Time Rushing Yards Leader with another 1628 yards on the ground).
"I would love to be a Colt for life." #Colts running back Jonathan Taylor is entering the final year of his contract, and wants to continue wearing the Horseshoe: pic.twitter.com/BA05a94flg
— WISH-TV News (@WISHNews8) July 29, 2026
Ballard on still appreciating the greatness of Jonathan Taylor. pic.twitter.com/HhZISBlUT1
— Matt Taylor (@MayTayColts) July 28, 2026
So what could the deal look like?
Currently Jonathan Taylor is on a 3 year, $42 million deal. He ranks 8th in Total Contract Value, 7th in Average Annual Value ($14 million per year), and 9th in Total Guarantees.
For 2026 Jonathan Taylor has the highest Cap Hit in the NFL among RBs at $15.56 million, but by 2027 that number will be eclipsed by Christian McCaffrey, Kenneth Walker III, Josh Jacobs, Derrick Henry, and Alvin Kamara and by 2028 Saquon Barkley and Devon Achane do so as well.
RB leaders in EPA per rush (2025, min. 175 attempts) 1. D'Andre Swift: +0.069 2. De'Von Achane: +0.059 3. Jonathan Taylor: +0.055 4. Javonte Williams: +0.048 5. TreVeyon Henderson: +0.047 6. Derrick Henry: +0.030 pic.twitter.com/G7uIhJ9YQB
— Fantasy Points Data (@FantasyPtsData) July 27, 2026
Expect Taylor to receive an extension in the ballpark of Saquon Barkley and Christian McCaffrey’s deals annually. They are the two highest earners at the RB position and each got 2 year extensions averaging $20.6 million and $19 million per year respectively. He likely will get an average either in between this total, or just exceeding Saquon record setting figure per year. Their Total Guarantees were in $36 million and $24 million as well.
The NFL's leading rushers by EPA in 2025: 1. Jonathan Taylor (18.8) 2. Blake Corum (15.9) 3. D'Andre Swift (15.4) 4. De'Von Achane (14.0) 5. Javonte Williams (12.2) 6. Rachaad White (10.4) 7. Kareem Hunt (9.7) 8. Derrick Henry (9.2) 9. TreVeyon Henderson (8.4) 10. Chris… pic.twitter.com/00U3nHQikf
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) July 25, 2026
Both Saquon Barkley and Christian McCaffrey signed these extensions at age 28 which is at around the same part of their career as 27 year old Jonathan Taylor right now. Albeit their deals were ahead of time to pay them in their age 30-31 year seasons whereas Taylor’s 1st year of his extension would begin at his age 28 season.
NFL coaches/execs/scouts rank their Top 10 RBs: 1) Bijan Robinson 2) Jahmyr Gibbs 3) Saquon Barkley 4) Christian McCaffrey 5) Jonathan Taylor 6) Derrick Henry 7) James Cook 8) De’Von Achane 9) Kenneth Walker 10) Breece Hall ( @JFowlerESPN ) pic.twitter.com/caCfYzvARQ
— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) July 6, 2026
Because of Taylor’s age at signing in the midst of a contract year, there is a chance his new deal would be more than 2 years. Devon Achane (age 25 when extended in 2026), James Cook (age 26 when extended in 2025) and Travis Etienne (age 27 when signed in 2026) all signed 4 year deals.
Albeit Cook and Etienne signed theirs at $11.5-$12 million respectively. Achane got $16 million per year, but he got the lowest % of his contract guaranteed of any RB making over $12 million by a large margin at 27.2% ($24 million total guaranteed out of $64 million) and was the youngest RB of the trio, making his contract a more unique circumstance.
With all that in mind, here’s what Jonathan Taylor’s contract is likely going to be in the range of based off of current RB contracts* (no based off of insider information).
2-3 Years
$37.4-$43.3 Million/$56.1-$65 Million (Median: $40.35/$60.55 Million)
$18.7-$21.7 Million Average Annual Value (Median: $20.2 Million)
$17.5-$25 Million/$30-$ 45 Million Total Guaranteed (Median: $21.25/$37.5 Million)
With the CBA increasing by $22 Million or $45.8 Million since Saquon Barkley and Christian McCaffrey’s extensions in 2024-2025, Jonathan Taylor has the opportunity to reset the RB market and be the highest paid RB in NFL history by exceeding Achane’s extension total, Saquon’s Average Annual Value and Guarantees. Being only 27 means a 3 year contract could pay him handsomely for the rest of his 20s as his deal would expire just before he turns 30.
Jonathan Taylor, 2025 by the numbers: • 6.9 YPC running off tackle • 1,028 yards vs 6-man boxes • Positive EPA at every gap Load the box, doesn't matter. pic.twitter.com/JHsEybZnHQ
— Outside Zone • Football Data (@OutsideZoneIO) July 27, 2026
But it isn’t a guarantee Taylor exceeds Saquon and McCaffrey’s contract due to his lessened receiving value compared to them, so he could instead on the lower end of his contract range he could be in between the two or ...
Projecting Jonathan Taylor’sThe ColtsDayJonathan TaylorIndianapolis ColtsGrand Park Sports CampusWestfieldIndianaPhotoMichael HickeyGetty ImagesColts
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