Indianapolis Colts’ running back Jonathan Taylor is entering the final year of his current deal, and as CBS Sports’ Joel Corry detailed, he could be a franchise tag candidate next offseason.
In 2023, Taylor signed a four-year, $42 million deal, averaging out to $14 million per year. That contract made Taylor one of the top backs in football on a per-year basis.
“Taylor probably is going to think that his place in the running back-salary hierarchy shouldn’t be any lower in a new deal than in 2023 when he signed his current contract,” Corry wrote.
Corry added that the recent Devon Achane deal in Miami is an applicable data point for Taylor. Achane signed a four-year, $64 million extension. He is now the third-highest-paid running back in football behind Christian McCaffrey at $19 million per year and Saquon Barkley at $20.6 million per year.
Although Taylor has remained productive throughout his career, his heavy workload since entering the NFL could make the Colts wary about a third contract — or at least one near the top of the market.
“The Colts might be reluctant to pay Taylor top dollar for an extended period of time — although he is 27 — because of the rate he is accumulating mileage,” wrote Corry. “He has the NFL’s third-most carries over the last two seasons with 625.”
Corry adds that any “concerns about diminishing returns with continued heavy usage” are what would make Taylor a franchise tag candidate during the 2027 offseason.
Taylor is a three-time Pro Bowler and made one All-Pro team. He played in 13 games in 2024 and all 17 games last season. rushing for 1,431 yards and 1,585 yards, respectively, as one of the more productive backs in football each year.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Former agent evaluates Jonathan Taylor’s contract situation with Colts
Reporting by Paul Bretl, Colts Wire / Colts Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
