JonathanTaylor

News: 5 days agoTaylor agreed to terms Thursday with the Colts on a two-year, $44 million contract extension, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Spin: Schefter relays that the deal is worth up to $47 million and includes $39 million guaranteed. Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Taylor's new deal is the largest-ever third contract for an NFL running back, setting the stage for the 27-year-old to continue working as the undisputed lead option in a Colts backfield that also includes DJ Giddens, Seth McGowan, Ulysses Bentley, Anderson Castle and Roydell Williams. With both Taylor and Bijan Robinson now having landed extensions, attention turns to Detroit's Jahmyr Gibbs, another top-tier running back looking for a lucrative new pact ahead of Week 1.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Taylor enters the 2026 season having improved in fantasy points per game in each of the past three years. Last season, he delivered his best production since his huge 2021 campaign, as he paced the NFL in carries and TDs while finishing second in carries inside the 5-yard line (19) and fourth in fantasy points. A piece of the step forward was increased usage in the passing game, as he ranked in the top 10 among backs in routes, targets, catches and receiving yards, setting career highs in each. Taylor's season likely would've been even better had QB Daniel Jones not been injured, as the running back averaged 24.8 points with Jones but 12.9 without him. Jones is expected to be ready to play in Week 1, so the 27-year-old Taylor is safe to value as a mid- to high-end RB1.