Jonathan Taylor is getting paid.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Saturday that the All-Pro running back has agreed to a three-year, $42 million contract extension with the Indianapolis Colts. The guaranteed salary is $26.5 million.
The surprising news ends months of strained relations between Taylor and the team and clears the way for him to play Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.
The 24-year-old running back was just activated this week off the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, where he’d been since the start of training camp as he recovered from offseason ankle surgery.
Yet Taylor had also expressed a desire for a contract extension, which the Colts had stonewalled, leading him to request a trade.
The new contract seemingly puts all that drama to rest. It makes Taylor one of the NFL’s highest paid running backs. The $14 million average annual value of the extension ranks third behind only Christian McCaffrey ($16 million per season) and Alvin Kamara ($15 million).
“Each side gets what it wants,” Schefter succinctly noted.
The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported the Colts will limit Taylor’s work in the first few games as he gets back up to speed.
The NFL world quickly reacted to the stunning report.
Colts fans seeing Jonathan Taylor get PAID: pic.twitter.com/0hRo5JNrad
— FanDuel (@FanDuel) October 7, 2023
But is paying a ton for an RB1 still a valid move? 🤔
— Tsmolz (@tsmolz) October 7, 2023
From wanting a trade to getting 3 year contract
Alrighty then
— Selling VC/badge grinder/selling STUBS (@mtplug_grinder) October 7, 2023
Anthony Richardson + Jonathan Taylor will be wild to stop
— Cameron Magruder (@ScooterMagruder) October 7, 2023
Jim Irsay always gonna do what no one expects him to do
— Khaled Abdallah (@khaled74) October 7, 2023
Who knew… holding out actually works🙄
— NKY Bracket Guy (@BracketNky) October 7, 2023
Held out and won. Glad the Dolphins didn’t trade for him cause ain’t no way we were going to pay that lol
— Edgar Woo (@edgarwoo_) October 7, 2023
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.