Taylor wants to retire with Colts, wary of RB market

While young running backs across the NFL struggle to sign a lucrative second contract, Indianapolis Colts star Jonathan Taylor remains optimistic about landing his extension.

“You look at the past, and guys who have shown their value on and off the field tend to stay here,” Taylor said, according to the Indianapolis Star. “My goal, the first season after I got drafted, I’m like, ‘I want to retire a Colt.’ Hopefully, the organization sees that the same because I do.”

Taylor added the two sides have discussed an extension and that he’s hopeful he’ll stick with the Colts.

“We’ll see where things go. It’s kind of on them right now,” he said.

The 24-year-old is entering the final season of his rookie contract. Taylor is two years removed from a prolific campaign in which he was named a first-team All-Pro after rushing for a franchise-record 1,811 yards while adding a league-leading 18 touchdowns. However, a nagging ankle injury limited him to 11 games in 2022, and the former second-round pick experienced a down year, rushing for 861 yards and four scores.

NFL teams have been reluctant to sign tailbacks to big deals following their rookie deals. Las Vegas Raiders and last year’s rushing champion Josh Jacobs and New York Giants star Saquon Barkley are in standoffs with their teams after having the franchise tag placed on them this offseason. The Minnesota Vikings released Dalvin Cook last week after he turned in his fourth straight 1,000-plus-yard rushing campaign in 2022.

“It’s sad, and it sucks,” Taylor said. “Specifically, speaking for the running back position, because I can speak firsthand, we do a lot. … You just want to be appreciated for what you bring to the team.”

The Wisconsin product has rushed for 3,841 yards and 33 touchdowns while averaging 5.1 yards per carry in his first three NFL seasons. Taylor’s also recorded 104 receptions for 802 yards.

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