Jonathan Taylor’s contract situation may be worth watching again.
According to The Athletic’s James Boyd, Taylor could and should consider a training camp hold-in as he enters another important year with the Colts. The piece does not report that Taylor is planning to hold in, and there is no direct quote from Taylor suggesting that is where things are headed, so this should be framed carefully. This is more of an analysis from Boyd of Taylor’s leverage than a firm report about his intentions.
Still,
the topic is important because Taylor’s value to the Colts is obvious.
Indianapolis does not have a true replacement for him on the roster. The Colts have talked about wanting to reduce Taylor’s workload and keep him fresher over the course of the season, but that is easier to say than actually do. Taylor remains the centerpiece of the offense and the team’s best skill player. That is where his leverage comes from.
Taylor is older than he was during his 2023 contract dispute, but his argument may be stronger now because the Colts are more dependent on him than ever. The quarterback situation is still uncertain, Daniel Jones is trying to re-establish himself, Anthony Richardson’s future with the team is cloudy, and the offense will likely need the run game to carry a major burden again. If Taylor is unhappy, limited, or unavailable, the entire offensive plan changes.
Taylor’s workload has been heavy in recent years, and running backs have a shorter prime than most positions. The team has every reason to want to manage his touches, protect his body, and avoid overusing him early in the season. At the same time, Taylor has every reason to understand how important he is. If the Colts need him to carry the offense in big games, and if they do not have another back who can take meaningful pressure off him, then his value is not theoretical. It is built into the entire offense.
A hold-in would not be the same as a holdout. Taylor could report to camp, avoid fines, and still limit participation while making his point. That has become a common tactic for players who want contract movement without completely staying away from the team.
For now, though, this is still speculation. There is no indication Taylor has made a final decision, and the Colts may not view this as an immediate problem. However, it is another storyline to watch as training camp approaches.
The Colts need Taylor healthy, engaged, and central to what they do offensively. Whether that eventually leads to another contract conversation is the part that could make camp a lot more interesting.
