The NFL is a copycat league. When one team finds success with a certain style or play, you can bet other teams will follow suit. The same goes for players. See success, chase that same success. Bijan Robinson just became the highest paid running back in the league. Jonathan Taylor is well aware of that new deal and is going to make the Indianapolis Colts pay.
Taylor was informed of the 3-year, $75 million deal during training camp. With $51 million in guarantees, it’s a whopper. Said tongue in cheek,
Taylor is looking for the Colts to pony up.
Yes, he is joking, but then again, he is dead serious and should be. Rewind three years ago and running backs were a dime a dozen. At least that’s how the league saw them. After a zoom call, Taylor became the poster child for “running backs for better rights” and held out on the Colts. That produced a nice contract and helped reset the running back market. Robinson’s contract is a reflection of Taylor’s effort.
Why shouldn’t Taylor reap the ultimate rewards himself? He was a dark horse candidate for MVP over the first ten weeks of last season. He broke huge runs, set franchise records, and carried the Colts at times. There is a lot of distance between that unfortunate offseason and the accompanying ankle injury. Time has passed but the results live on. It’s time for Taylor to cash in one more time.
The Colts will have to pay handsomely to keep Jonathan Taylor. Based on last season’s production that should be no problem. How much they will pay him might become the sticking point. His career is on the back end. Making him the highest paid running back could have major consequences. Regardless, the Colts need to keep Taylor, and he needs to make them pay.
