Jonathan Taylor Signs Two-Year, $44 Million Colts Extension Without a Holdout

Jonathan Taylor got paid, and he didn't have to skip a single practice to make it happen.

The Indianapolis Colts and their star running back agreed to terms Thursday on a two-year, $44 million contract extension, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and ESPN's Adam Schefter. The deal is worth up to $47 million with $39 million guaranteed, tacked onto the final year remaining on Taylor's existing contract.

That averages out to $22 million per year in new money, just behind the $22.25 million annual figure Bijan Robinson landed from the Atlanta Falcons earlier this week on a three-year, $75 million extension, according to NFL Network. Robinson's deal is the bigger overall number. Taylor's is now the largest third contract a running back has ever received, according to the New York Post.

Two running backs entered training camp seeking new money. Two running backs got it before a single preseason snap. Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs is the one left standing, still holding in and away from practice as he waits for Detroit to make its move, according to NBC Sports.

What makes Taylor's situation notable is what didn't happen. Robinson and Gibbs both held in at camp to pressure their teams. Taylor showed up ready to work, contract or no contract, according to NFL.com. He'd already told the Colts he wanted to be a "Colt for life."

This contrasts sharply with 2023. Taylor's last contract negotiation got ugly, spilling into trade rumors and reported friction between the running back and the front office before he eventually signed a three-year, $42 million deal with $26.5 million guaranteed, according to the New York Post. This time, both sides got it done quietly, without leaks about trade requests or threats to sit out games.

Taylor earned the money on the field. The 27-year-old led the NFL with 323 carries in 2025 and topped the league with 18 rushing touchdowns, piling up 1,585 rushing yards, according to NFL.com. Over the last two seasons he's rushed 626 times for 3,016 yards and 29 touchdowns, adding 64 catches for 514 yards, per the New York Post. He's a three-time Pro Bowl selection and sits 1,628 rushing yards behind Edgerrin James for the Colts' all-time franchise record, according to wmbdradio.

The Colts weren't just paying for last season. They're paying to keep the engine of their offense running through what should be his prime years, locking him in for three more seasons and setting up a possible fourth contract before his age-30 year, according to NFL.com. Indianapolis enters 2026 with real pressure to win, and keeping Taylor healthy and motivated was reportedly a front-office priority.

Taylor isn't the only Colt who cashed in this offseason. Quarterback Daniel Jones, retained on the franchise tag before signing a two-year, $88 million deal, is still working back from a torn Achilles. Receiver Alec Pierce signed a four-year, $114 million contract to become Indianapolis' No. 1 target after the team traded Michael Pittman Jr. to the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to wmbdradio. That's three major investments in one offseason for a team trying to prove last year wasn't a fluke.

Robinson and Taylor getting paid within days of each other signals teams are willing to reward workhorse backs who stay durable and productive, rather than nickel-and-diming them once rookie deals expire.

That next domino is Gibbs. He's holding in, still away from Detroit's practice field, and now the most prominent running back still waiting for a new deal, according to NBC Sports. His camp will be watching the Robinson and Taylor numbers closely. So will every other team with a star back entering a contract year, wondering whether the Lions blink first or make Gibbs wait.