Chris Ballard Defends Decision to Extend RB Jonathan Taylor
The Indianapolis Colts have signed running back Jonathan Taylor to a two-year contract extension worth $44 million, with a maximum value of $47 million and $39 million guaranteed.
Colts GM Chris Ballard recently discussed the extension on SiriusXM NFL radio, explaining the thought process behind the decision. "There's some common sense that goes into it," Ballard said. "When you have a guy that's touching the ball 300-350 times for you offensively and as unique as he is, those guys don't grow on trees, and they're hard to find, there's not 32 of them."
Taylor remains one of the most productive backs in football, continuing to shoulder a heavy workload out of the backfield. He played in 13 games in 2024 and all 17 games last season, rushing for 1,431 yards and 1,585 yards, respectively.
The 27-year-old running back is in "unbelievable shape," according to Ballard, and the Colts' GM is optimistic about his future with the team. "We like where Jonathan's going, he's still young, and we look forward to him having a big season and going forward, thinking he can play for a few more years."
Taylor's extension is the largest third contract for a running back in the league, according to Ian Rapoport. His average annual salary of $22 million places him behind only Detroit's Jahmyr Gibbs and Atlanta's Bijan Robinson in that category, according to Spotrac.
The Colts' offense often begins with Taylor, who provides a strong running game that opens up the playbook for Shane Steichen and takes some burden off the passing game. His high-level production is a key factor in the team's success, and Ballard believes he will continue to be a vital part of the Colts' offense in the years to come.
As the Colts prepare for the upcoming season, the team's decision to extend Taylor's contract is a clear indication of their commitment to building a winning team. With Taylor's extension in place, the focus will now shift to the rest of the roster and how the team will perform on the field.
Source: Yahoo Sports