This accomplishment puts Colts' RB Jonathan Taylor in elite company

USA Today

6 hours ago

This accomplishment puts Colts' RB Jonathan Taylor in elite company This accomplishment puts Colts' RB Jonathan Taylor in elite company.
In his first five NFL seasons, Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor has accomplished something that only Hall of Famers Jim Brown and Erick Dickerson have outperformed him at.
According to Pro Football Hall of Fame Ambassador, who got this information from the NFL, Taylor has averaged 100 or more yards per game in two of his first five NFL seasons. The aforementioned Brown and Dickerson are the only backs to have accomplished that feat more often in their first five seasons than Taylor.
Taylor accomplished this during his 2021 season, when he rushed for 1,811 yards, and then again in 2024, when he rushed for 1,431 yards, despite missing three games due to an injury.
While more consistency in the passing game is certainly needed, Taylor is what makes this Colts' offense go under head coach Shane Steichen. This can be true in two ways, one of which is his workload. Even with playing in just 14 out of 17 possible games, Taylor still ranked fifth among backs in rush attempts last season, per PFF.
But in addition to that, the success on the ground that Taylor provides this offense with can help keep this unit out of predictable long down-and-distance situations, which in turn, can take some of the playmaking burden off the passing game's shoulders and help create some opportunities through the air.
All eyes will be on the Colts' quarterback competition, but regardless of who is under center, Taylor will remain a focal point on offense and be a catalyst behind making this entire operation go.