The Colts-Jonathan Taylor saga came to an end on Saturday with the parties finalizing a three-year, $42MM extension. The deal coincides with the former rushing champion’s return to game action, and it illustrates the degree to which fences were mended before an agreement was reached. 
As Taylor rehabbed his lingering ankle injury – an ailment which led to his PUP designation to start the year and invited questions about his true health status – it seemed clear his relationship with the Colts was beyond repair. Indianapolis had denied the 24-year-old’s extension request, and allowed his agent to explore a trade. No deal materialized, though, setting Taylor up for a return to action in Week 5.
The former second-rounder added to the uncertainty surrounding his tenure with the Colts when speaking publicly for the first time this season, but that is now no longer in doubt. Attitudes on both sides seemed to improve recently as Taylor rehabbed; that process drew praise from the organization, SI’s Albert Breer notes. Now that a multi-year pact is in place, Taylor will look to return to his 2021 form while the Colts move forward with their top rushing option.
Having previously taken a public stance against running backs meeting to discuss the position’s downward financial outlook, owner Jim Irsay made one of the league’s top commitments with this Taylor contract. The former’s remarks in the wake of the deal – which will see Taylor earn $26.5MM guaranteed – confirm his expectation that a return to full health and productiveness will take place following a brief easing-in period.
In a conference call with local reporters, Irsay acknowledged (via Fox 59’s Mike Chappell) that he felt the extension was put together “too soon” in Taylor’s contract year but expressed enthusiasm over the prospect of having the Wisconsin alum in the fold through 2026. Talks on a deal – and, along the way, attempts to thaw relations – took part recently, with Chappell noting franchise icon Edgerrin James was involved in the process. If all goes according to plan, the team’s offense will be founded on the play of Taylor and rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson for the foreseeable future, a prospect Irsay added he is encouraged by.
“[Taylor’s] a SPECIAL player and this extension is important knowing the impact he’ll make as our team develops under [head coach] Shane [Steichen],” a statement from Irsay reads in part. “I have no doubt he’ll continue to create highlight plays and memories for our fans. He deserves this deal and I’m happy for him.”
Why did Irsay feel that it was necessary to say that the deal came together “too soon”? Hasn’t he already done enough to complicate this process? I feel worse for Ballard by the day.
A GMs worst nightmare is to have a meddling owner and Ballard is undermined at every turn by Irsay. I wouldn’t be terribly upset if Chris returned to the Bears organization. If he’s allowed to do the job he’s hired to do, without interference, he can be a solid asset for any team.
Irsay just cannot refrain from publicly running his mouth. I watched the preseason game with the Bears that used the Colt’s broadcast and Irsay talked literally the entire third quarter while the broadcast team could barely get the play by play in. The man is an I burger with me sauce.
Expecting big fantasy day tomorrow from Mr. Taylor
Expecting a big fantasy day tomorrow from Mr. Taylor
Nobody cares.
That was uncalled for.
There’s gonna be an increase in RB holdouts/ins
Maybe if Irsay hasn’t been such a helmet in the media
Sounds like they realized you can’t plug and play any RB and get the same production. Kinda like what New Orleans, Cleveland, and Minnesota figured out this year.
Today Zack Moss went 16-165 for a 7.2 YPC and 2 TD’s with another 30 yards in the air. The Colts were fine without JT. I think the Colts screwed up by committing so much money to Taylor.
Buffalo’s RBs today in a loss. 10 carries for 15 yards. JT would’ve looked good in a Buffalo uniform. Moss barely gets 100 carries a year. If he was worth anything why did Indy re-up JT?