Jonathan Taylor’s New Colts Contract Comes With a Round of Free Beer for Fans

Jonathan Taylor got paid Thursday. Then he made sure the fans in the stands got something too.

The Indianapolis Colts running back agreed to terms on a two-year, $44 million contract extension that can max out at $47 million, with $39 million guaranteed, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The deal keeps the three-time Pro Bowler in Indianapolis through the 2028 season.

Colts owner and CEO Carlie Irsay-Gordon delivered the news herself, in person, at the team’s Thursday night practice under the lights at Grand Park Sports Campus in Westfield, Indiana. She grabbed the mic before the session started and told the crowd exactly what they came to hear.

“I couldn’t think of a more special moment to be here with you guys to officially announce that Jonathan is here to stay,” Irsay-Gordon said.

The place erupted. Then Irsay-Gordon handed the microphone to Taylor, who had a surprise of his own — free beer for every fan of legal drinking age in attendance. The Colts posted the moment on X, tagging Bud Light with a message thanking the fans: “for the best fans.” —

for the best fans.💙 @budlight pic.twitter.com/KDEDXrSRNj

— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) August 7, 2026

Taylor also spent a moment addressing the crowd directly, thanking them for showing up on a weeknight to watch practice.

“We appreciate you guys taking the time out of your evening to be here today to watch us put in the time and effort to put a great product on the field for you guys,” Taylor said. “It’s you guys that make Lucas Oil special.”

Head coach Shane Steichen weighed in afterward on what locking up his lead back means heading into the season.

“It means everything,” Steichen said. “The way he prepares, the way he goes about his business, the player that he is; he’s so electric.”

Why the Colts Moved Now

Taylor was entering the final year of the three-year, $42 million deal he signed back in 2023 after a tense holdout. This time around, there was no drama. Taylor showed up to training camp on day one and let the front office work.

The timing wasn’t an accident. Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson reset the market days earlier with a deal worth up to $75 million, and Indianapolis moved quickly to lock up its own star before the price kept climbing. Taylor’s $22 million average annual value lands just behind Robinson’s $22.25 million, according to NFL Network.

The $39 million fully guaranteed also puts Taylor near the top of the running back market for security, trailing only rookie Jeremiyah Love’s fully guaranteed rookie contract, according to Over the Cap figures cited by CBS Sports.

Taylor’s Production Backs Up the Price Tag

Indianapolis drafted Taylor in the second round in 2020, 41st overall out of Wisconsin. He didn’t take long to show why. As a rookie, he ran for 1,169 yards and 11 touchdowns on 232 carries across 15 games.

The following year, he took over the league. Taylor led the NFL with 1,811 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns on 332 carries in 2021, earning first-team All-Pro honors. Injuries slowed him in 2022 and 2023, but he’s answered with two straight monster seasons since — a combined 3,016 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns, including a league-leading 18 rushing scores last season.

Since entering the league in 2020, Taylor ranks second in the NFL in both rushing yards and total scrimmage touchdowns, behind only Derrick Henry, according to ESPN.