Jonathan Taylor has plenty of reason to keep an eye on Bijan Robinson’s new contract.
Robinson just landed a 3-year, $75 million deal, with $51 million guaranteed, and Taylor was told about it during training camp. That kind of number changes the conversation for every running back in the league, and Taylor is absolutely aware of what it means for him and for the Colts.
Three years ago, the position was treated like a bargain bin. Taylor pushed back on that mindset.
After a Zoom call, he became the face of the push for better running back rights and held out from the Colts, a standoff that ended with a strong deal and helped reset the market. Robinson’s payday is part of that ripple effect.
Now Taylor has every right to look at the latest market-setting contract and want his own piece of it. The joke about the Colts needing to “pony up” lands because there’s truth behind it.
He was a dark horse MVP candidate through the first ten weeks of last season, ripped off big runs, set franchise records and carried Indianapolis at times. That production matters.
There’s also no hiding the other side of the equation. Taylor is further along in his career now, and giving him the top running back contract could come with real consequences for the Colts. Still, the team needs him, and Taylor has already shown he can deliver at a level that justifies a big number.
The Colts are going to have to pay if they want to keep him. The question is how much.
In Other News...
Colts Camp Battles Are Starting To Reveal Some Real Early Winners
Six training camp practices in, the Colts are already seeing the first hints of how the offense might sort itself out behind the obvious starters. The early depth chart is starting to come into focus, with competition at backup quarterback, backup running back, wide receiver depth and even across the tight end and offensive line groups as players try to separate in a crowded field.
Riley Leonard and Anthony Richardson remain in the mix for the No. 2 quarterback job, while DJ Giddens and Seth McGowan are battling for the backup running back spot. At receiver, the fight for WR3 and beyond has been lively enough to keep the staff watching closely, and the same goes for the other depth roles where every practice rep seems to matter just a little more as camp moves forward. [Read more 🡒]
Colts Rookie Linebacker Already Faces A Camp Setback They Needed To Avoid
Training camp is supposed to be about stacking reps, and for CJ Allen, that part has already hit a snag. The Colts rookie linebacker, taken No. 53 overall in the NFL Draft after a strong run at Georgia, was held out of practice because of a hamstring issue, a reminder that the early stretch of camp can be as much about staying on the field as learning the playbook.
Shane Steichen said injuries are a normal part of this time of year, but the timing still matters for a player the Colts want getting as many live looks as possible before the regular season. Allens absence creates an early pause in that process, and for now there is no clear timetable on when he will be back. [Read more 🡒]
Daniel Jones Is Giving The Colts Something They Desperately Need
Daniel Jones kept stacking positive days at Colts training camp, and his Day 7 practice was another reminder of why Indianapolis is leaning on him to steady the offense. He was sharp through the air, worked through the drill periods with better rhythm, and even showed more comfort extending plays when the pocket tightened, the kind of small but meaningful development the Colts have been looking for as camp gets deeper.
The contrast behind him was hard to miss. Anthony Richardson had an early interception and Riley Leonard was also picked off, leaving the quarterback room uneven on a day when the starter looked in control. Elsewhere, linebacker Austin Ajiake continued to make a case for more work after an active practice, a notable development with injuries opening the door for extra snaps if he keeps trending this way. [Read more 🡒]