(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
After an NFL offseason that was filled with turmoil for the Indianapolis Colts, outside of the team being able to draft quarterback Anthony Richardson, the struggling franchise appears to be back on track in more ways than one heading into Week 5 of the 2023 campaign.
The relationship between the franchise and star running back Jonathan Taylor seemed strained to the point that there would be an inevitable parting of ways after he issued a trade demand, but now things are back to normal with the one-time All-Pro signing a contract extension ahead of the team’s game against the division-rival Tennessee Titans.
On Saturday morning, Taylor signed a three-year contract extension with the Colts, putting him in the conversation among the highest-paid players in the NFL at his position, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Highest-paid RBs in per year average:
Christian McCaffrey: $16.01M
Alvin Kamara: $15M
Jonathan Taylor: $14M
Derrick Henry: $12.5M
Nick Chubb: $12.2M
Josh Jacobs: $11.79M
Aaron Jones: $11.5M
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 7, 2023
This is a surprising development, to say the least, with Taylor not far from getting traded to the Miami Dolphins during the NFL offseason.
Along with Taylor nearly being traded ahead of the team’s self-imposed deadline to make a deal, a lot of the elite backs in the league were unable to see eye-to-eye with their respective teams on a new deal, leading many to think that the running back position is no longer valued the way it once was.
Fortunately for Taylor, the Colts clearly value what he brings to the table, with only two other backs in the league making more than him per season from here on out.
This was likely a smart move by the Colts, as Taylor and Richardson can now become a dynamic duo in the league, which will likely be a scary sight for opposing teams this season.
The post Insider Notes How Jonathan Taylor’s Contract Compares To Other RBs appeared first on The Cold Wire.