Colts sign RB. Jonathan Taylor has signed a contract extension.
Taylor, a second-round draft pick by the Colts in 2020, led the NFL in rushing in 2021 and has the third-highest yards per carry average among running backs since his rookie season.
On Saturday, the Colts signed running back Jonathan Taylor to a contract extension, committing the 2021 rushing leader and first-team AP All-Pro to Indianapolis for the long future.
“I want to thank Jim Irsay and his family, Chris Ballard, and Coach Steichen for the opportunity to be part of this organization’s future,” Taylor said in a statement. “I sincerely appreciate the support of my teammates and Colts fans. I’m excited to get back on the field and do everything I can to assist this city win the championship it deserves. “I am proud to be an Indianapolis Colt.”
Taylor carried for 1,811 yards in 2021, 552 yards more than the NFL’s second-leading rusher, and was named unanimously to the Associated Press first-team All-Pro. At the age of 22, Taylor became the youngest player in NFL history to record at least 2,000 yards from scrimmage and 20 total touchdowns in a single season.
Taylor’s 20 total touchdowns in 2021 tied the Colts franchise record set by Hall of Famer Lenny Moore in 1964. Taylor broke franchise records that year for rushing yards, rushing yards per carry (5.5), and rushing touchdowns.
“Jonathan is a special player and signing him to this extension is important knowing the impact he’ll make as the team develops under Shane Steichen,” Jim Irsay, president and CEO of the Indianapolis Colts, “I’m confident he’ll continue to create spectacular plays and memories for Colts fans, as he has in his first three seasons. Jonathan deserves this deal, and I am thrilled for him.”
Since being selected by the Colts in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, he has transformed his team’s offensive, running for 3,841 yards (5.1 yards per attempt) and 33 touchdowns. He became the first Colts running back since Edgerrin James in 1999 to be named to the AP All-Pro First Team.
Taylor ran 232 times for 1,169 yards and 11 touchdowns as a rookie, averaging 5.0 yards per carry.
Despite ankle ailments, Taylor averaged 4.5 yards per run in 2022, gaining 861 yards on 192 carries and four touchdowns.
Taylor’s career totals include 104 receptions for 802 yards and three touchdowns.
“I’m thrilled we were able to reach an agreement with Jonathan,” Ballard was quoted as saying. “At the end of August, I discussed the value of connections and the ability to move forward. We were able to reach that stage. We understand what Jonathan represents to this team and city. He is a fantastic playmaker and has contributed significantly to our organization. “This is the outcome we all desired.”
Taylor missed the first four games of the 2023 season while on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list. The Colts activated Taylor from the PUP list and removed his questionable designation for Week 5, allowing him to face the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday.
“Part of the reason I took this job was to work with a player like Jonathan Taylor,” Steichen said in a statement. “He brings an explosive aspect to our offense, and his performance on the field over the last three seasons is clear. I’m enthusiastic about the role he’ll play on this squad as we grow.”
