The Indianapolis Colts locked up their star running back Thursday. Jonathan Taylor agreed to a two-year contract extension worth up to $47 million, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, with the deal also confirmed by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The base numbers: two years, $44 million, with $39 million guaranteed. It keeps Taylor in Indianapolis through the 2028 season and comes on the final year of the three-year, $42 million deal he signed back in 2023.
Jonathan Taylor Contract Extension Details
Rapoport broke the news on X Thursday. “The Colts and star RB Jonathan Taylor have agreed to terms on a big-time two-year, $44 million extension, per me and Adam Schefter,” he wrote. “$47M is the max, with $39 million guaranteed. The largest 3rd contract for a RB ever and one of the highest-paid ever.” Deal done by agent Malki Kawa of First Round Management.
Ian Rapoport posted on X: “The Colts and star RB Jonathan Taylor have agreed to terms on a big-time 2-year, $44M extension” —
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
The extension makes Taylor the second highest-paid running back in the league by average annual salary at $22 million per year, trailing only Atlanta’s Bijan Robinson.
Why Now? Bijan Robinson Reset the Market
The timing isn’t a coincidence. Just days earlier, the Falcons signed Robinson to a three-year extension worth up to $75 million, including $51 million guaranteed — the richest deal for a running back in NFL history. That number instantly became the target for every top back with leverage heading into 2026.
Taylor felt it immediately. Asked about Robinson’s deal before his own extension was finalized, the three-time Pro Bowler didn’t hide his reaction. “Hopefully, I gotta go talk to my agent, too, to see where things are at,” Taylor said. “We’re trying to just focus on getting better, making sure I’m staying in shape. So like I said, I have faith. So I’m gonna tap in and check in with him, now that you guys broke the news to me.”
Two days later, his own deal was done.
The Numbers Behind the Deal
Taylor earned this contract on the field. He carried the ball 323 times for 1,585 yards and led the NFL with 18 rushing touchdowns in 2025, playing all 17 games for Indianapolis. It was his most complete season since his All-Pro 2021 campaign, and he added career highs as a receiver with 46 catches for 378 yards.
| Player | Team | Contract | Guaranteed | AAV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bijan Robinson | Falcons | 3 yrs, up to $75M | $51M | $22.25M |
| Jonathan Taylor | Colts | 2 yrs, up to $47M | $39M | $22M |
| Saquon Barkley | Eagles | — | — | $20.6M |
Taylor’s path here wasn’t always smooth. His last negotiation with the Colts in 2023 turned contentious — he requested a trade before eventually signing his second deal. There was none of that friction this time. Taylor was present for training camp from day one, and owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon had publicly backed keeping him in Indianapolis. Taylor had said this offseason he’d “love to be a Colt for life.”
What It Means for Indianapolis
Locking up Taylor gives the Colts offense a settled foundation heading into a season where the franchise is trying to snap a five-year playoff drought. Keeping their workhorse back off the trade or free-agent market also lets Indianapolis build the rest of its roster around a proven, top-tier rushing attack rather than search for a replacement.
The deal also puts a new number on the board for the next tier of backs. Detroit’s Jahmyr Gibbs is currently in a contract hold-in of his own, and agents around the league will point to both the Robinson and Taylor numbers in the weeks ahead.
