Jonathan Taylor, the dynamic running back for the Indianapolis Colts, is putting together a season that has fans, analysts, and even rival teams wondering whether he should be the frontrunner for this year’s MVP award. With a combination of record-breaking performances, team-changing consistency, and elite physical conditioning, Taylor has positioned himself as one of the most dominant offensive players in the NFL. His pace in 2025 is drawing comparisons to the greatest seasons ever recorded by a running back, and with the Colts relying heavily on his production, the debate around his MVP candidacy is heating up.
Contract and financial investment by the Colts
When the Colts decided to extend Jonathan Taylor’s contract, it was not about rewarding past performance—it was a statement about their vision for the future. The team locked him in with a three-year, $42 million contract extension, including $26.5 million guaranteed. This deal averages nearly $14 million per year, placing Taylor among the top-paid running backs in the league. At a time when teams were hesitant to invest heavily in the position, Indianapolis showed that Taylor is the rare exception—a back whose talent, leadership, and impact transcend positional trends.
The significance of that investment cannot be understated. The Colts effectively built their offensive identity around Taylor, making him the centerpiece of their long-term plan. For a running back to command that level of financial confidence in today’s quarterback-dominated league, it signals more than trust—it represents belief in a generational athlete. And with Taylor producing at a historic rate this season, he is proving that the front office’s gamble was a smart one. The magnitude of this contract alone adds narrative weight to his MVP candidacy, as he is not only living up to expectations but surpassing them.
Breakout 2021 season and historical benchmarks
Jonathan Taylor’s 2021 season remains one of the greatest single-year rushing campaigns in modern football history. That year, he exploded for 1,811 rushing yards, averaging 5.5 yards per carry with a long run of 83 yards and a league-leading 18 rushing touchdowns. He tied for first in total touchdowns with 20 and single-handedly carried the Colts’ offense during several key games. It was the kind of year that defined him as more than a breakout player—it established him as a superstar.
These numbers were not just impressive; they were transformative for the franchise. Taylor’s dominance set multiple team records and put his name in conversations reserved for legends like Adrian Peterson and LaDainian Tomlinson. That campaign serves as a benchmark for his current performance and proof that his MVP case is not a fluke. When you compare his 2025 production to that historic 2021 season, the parallels are undeniable. He is once again hitting that elite stride, reminding everyone just how unstoppable he can be when healthy and properly utilized.
Current 2025 season pace and production
Taylor’s 2025 campaign might be his most impressive yet. In Week 10 alone, he ran for 244 yards on 32 carries with three touchdowns against the Atlanta Falcons. One of those scores came on an 83-yard touchdown run, the longest of his career and the longest by any player in the league this season. To top it off, he sealed the victory with an 8-yard overtime touchdown, putting an exclamation mark on a game that will be remembered for years. Entering that matchup, he was already leading the NFL with 895 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns, and his latest performance pushed those totals to new heights.
Through the first half of the season, Taylor’s cumulative stats are staggering—7,152 career rushing yards, a 5.0 yards per carry average, and 66 career rushing touchdowns, alongside 171 receptions for 1,351 receiving yards and 7 receiving touchdowns. These figures highlight a player who has mastered both the ground game and the receiving role. His versatility allows the Colts to control the tempo of games and keep defenses guessing. Given his current form and fantasy dominance, he’s a fixture in NFL lineups, consistently delivering highlight-reel plays and game-changing performances that define elite value.
Franchise records and milestones
Taylor’s relentless production has now placed him atop several franchise leaderboards. During the Week 10 victory against the Falcons, he broke the Indianapolis Colts’ all-time rushing touchdown record, surpassing 64 and eventually reaching 66 career rushing touchdowns. This milestone cements him as one of the greatest offensive players in team history, eclipsing names that have long been cornerstones of the organization’s legacy.
Beyond that, his 83-yard run not only marked the longest of his career but also the longest in the league this season—a testament to his unique combination of power, speed, and vision. These records are more than numbers; they are proof of longevity, consistency, and the rare ability to deliver explosive results year after year. Every touchdown and long run builds his case for MVP further, as he is not just padding stats but setting new standards for excellence within the franchise and across the NFL.
Injury history and consistency concerns
Every great comeback story has a chapter of adversity, and Taylor’s is no different. After his breakout 2021 season, he faced setbacks that slowed his momentum. In 2022, he played just 11 games, managing 861 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns, with his average dipping to 4.5 yards per carry. The following year, in 2023, he appeared in 10 games, logging 169 carries for 741 yards, 7 rushing touchdowns, and 19 receptions for 153 yards with one receiving touchdown. Those seasons raised questions about durability and consistency—traits that weigh heavily in MVP conversations.
However, Taylor’s 2025 resurgence has silenced many of those doubts. His explosive starts, elite conditioning, and ability to handle heavy workloads have reestablished his image as one of the league’s most reliable running backs. While durability concerns will always linger for a player at his position, Taylor’s response to adversity has been emphatic—he is not just back; he is better.
Team context and impact on Colts success
The Indianapolis Colts’ resurgence this season is closely tied to Jonathan Taylor’s performance. When he is on the field, the offense operates with rhythm and purpose. His ability to dominate the ground game forces defenses to commit extra resources, which opens opportunities for the passing attack. That balance has revitalized the Colts’ offensive identity, transforming them into a team capable of competing against the league’s elite.
Wins have followed his production. In one statement of victory earlier in the season, Taylor torched the Tennessee Titans with 153 rushing yards and three touchdowns on just 12 carries, proving how lethal he can be even on limited touches. His presence is more than a weapon—it is a catalyst for team success. MVP awards often reflect a player’s value to his team, and in Indianapolis, there is no question who makes the engine run. Without Taylor, the Colts’ offense simply is not the same.
Comparison vs. other MVP candidates and positional value
Running backs have a notoriously difficult path to the MVP award in the modern era. The league’s shift toward pass-heavy offenses and quarterback-driven narratives means backs must produce historically great seasons to enter the conversation. Yet Jonathan Taylor’s numbers, efficiency, and leadership have him standing toe-to-toe with quarterbacks who dominate the spotlight. His combination of rushing yardage, touchdowns, and big-play moments is unmatched this year, and his impact goes beyond statistics—it is emotional and strategic.
When you factor in how the Colts perform with him versus without him, the difference is striking. His influence on time of possession, third-down conversions, and red-zone scoring efficiency makes him the kind of player who directly alters outcomes. If MVP truly means “most valuable player,” Taylor’s case is as strong as anyone’s, regardless of position.
Risks and counterarguments
Despite his dominance, there are challenges standing between Jonathan Taylor and the MVP trophy. The most obvious is the positional bias. Running backs have rarely won MVP in recent decades, as voters often favor quarterbacks whose passing stats and team records tend to be more visible. Additionally, there is the question of whether Taylor can sustain this level of output throughout the remainder of the season. Injuries and fatigue are natural threats for a player who carries such a heavy workload.
There is also the factor of competition. If quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, or Josh Allen close out the season strong, their late-season narratives could overshadow Taylor’s efforts, even if his individual numbers remain spectacular. For Taylor to overcome that, he will need to not only maintain his current dominance but help the Colts secure a playoff berth or division title. Winning cures everything, especially in MVP debates.
Should Jonathan Taylor win the MVP?
Jonathan Taylor’s 2025 campaign has everything an MVP résumé needs—record-breaking performances, historical context, and a narrative of redemption and dominance. He has shattered franchise records, carried the Colts to key victories, and produced at a level that demands recognition. His massive contract shows the team’s faith in his leadership, and his on-field production has validated that trust.
Yet the question remains: will voters look beyond the quarterback position and reward a running back for redefining what value means in today’s NFL? If Taylor continues his torrid pace, stays healthy, and keeps the Colts in playoff contention, there is no reasonable argument against him taking home the award. Jonathan Taylor isn’t just having a great season—he is authoring one of the most complete MVP cases we have seen from a running back in years.