Jonathan Taylor's $42M Colts Contract Extension Shocks NFL Fans amid Trade Rumors | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors

The Indianapolis Colts sent shockwaves through the NFL on Saturday by agreeing to a contract extension with star running back Jonathan Taylor.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Taylor and the Colts came to terms on a three-year, $42 million extension with $26.5 million in guaranteed money. Taylor had been set to become a free agent at the end of the season, but now he is the third-highest-paid running back in the NFL in terms of average annual value at $14 million.

When Taylor and the Colts were unable to agree to a new deal during the preseason, the Colts gave Taylor permission to seek a trade, but nothing came to fruition.

Taylor started the season on the physically unable to perform list due to an ankle injury, but he returned to practice this week and was added to the active roster Saturday.

Per ESPN's Stephen Holder, Taylor gave a somewhat cryptic response Thursday when asked if he was committed to the Colts moving forward, saying: "I don't think it matters if I'm saying I'm committed or not, because I'm here. If somebody wasn't committed, they wouldn't be here. And right now, I'm here, and my No. 1 goal is to attack this first practice. It's been over 290 days, I believe."

Given how far apart Taylor and the Colts seemed to be in recent months, news of a contract extension came as a surprise Saturday, and NFL fans and observers had plenty to say on X, formerly known as Twitter:

Clarence Hill Jr @clarencehilljr

The Colts did all that talking and postering for nothing. Good for Taylor. Good for the running backs <a href="">

Eric Wilson @ericjwilson14

So much for the Jonathan Taylor didn't want to be a Colt anymore narrative.

GR81 @gr81_matt

tbh i'm surprised, thought the colts would continue putting the screws to him. Good for taylor

PFTPMPosse 🇺🇦⭐️ @PFTPMPosse

Im surprised the <a href="">@Colts</a> actually paid RB Jonathan Taylor… The details of the contract will b very interesting based on the former acrimony b/w him &amp; the team, as well as the RB market overall… <a href="">@ProFootballTalk</a>

Turtle @Sageof6turtles

Colts situation is hilarious. Owner pretty much said Taylor means nothing and a lot of the fanbase started slandering Taylor like crazy when he requested a trade all for him just to resign

Nate Atkins @NateAtkins_

Money can solve a lot of things. It has for Jonathan Taylor and the Colts. <br><br>A Nick Chubb-like deal was always a great target. A way to guarantee something while making it a priority to both sides to stay healthy and effective.<br><br>Props to Chris Ballard, Jim Irsay and Taylor here.

Speed Blue @SpeedBlue23

Between Jeff Saturday being the permanent Colts HC and the witch-hunt that the Colts didn't wanna pay Taylor, the national media isn't really batting a thousand this year when it comes to the Colts this year 🤷 who knewww

Indy SportsOne @IndySportsOne

The Colts have said all along, the goal is to get Jonathan Taylor healthy again and go from there. They never wanted to really trade him.<br><br>It maddening how that got lost in media along the way. But Chris Ballard stayed true to his word of paying special playmakers and now, AR x…

Billsfan1991 @Billsfan1991DMP

So the Colts went through ALL OF THAT with Taylor just to pay him what they should have at the start.<br><br>Clownshoe organization.

Ben @Sneaky__Ben

The national media spent ALL OFFSEASON dumping on the Colts and talking about how Taylor is "being held hostage" and he will "NEVER play for the Colts again." Just more proof they have no clue what they're talking about when it comes to the Colts.

At 2-2, the Colts are in a four-way tie for first place in the AFC South, and they have played much better than most expected.

A big reason for that is the performance of their rookie first-round pick, Anthony Richardson, who has been a dynamic presence capable of making plays with his arm and legs.

While Taylor has been out, Zack Moss has been a productive running back in head coach Shane Steichen's offense, which suggests Taylor could be in line to put up some huge numbers.

The 24-year-old Taylor missed six games due to injury last season, but in 2021 he was a Pro Bowler and first-team All-Pro who led the NFL with 1,811 rushing yards and 18 rushing touchdowns, while also catching 40 passes for 360 yards and two scores.

Taylor's ceiling in Steichen's offense figures to be incredibly high, and if he reaches it, he will make good on his new contract and then some.