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Colts star Jonathan Taylor lands $44 million contract on heels of Bijan Robinson megadeal

Nypost · · 319 words · By Matt Ehalt
Market Value of Running Backs NFL Player Compensation
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What to know about Market Value of Running Backs

For the first time in quite a stretch, it’s a financially beneficial time to be a star running back.

Claims checked 11
Techniques found 1
Topics 2

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage
Left0%
Center83%
Right17%

6 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

For the first time in quite a stretch, it’s a financially beneficial time to be a star running back.

Why it matters

The Brink’s Trucks continue to be backed up this week for star ball carriers, with Jonathan Taylor joining Bijan Robinson after signing a two-year, $44 million extension with the Colts, multiple reports confirm.

Common ground

Taylor’s deal reportedly included $39 million guaranteed and is worth up to $47 million, and is the largest third contract ever received by a running back.

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

open_in_new Read the original article: https://nypost.com/2026/08/06/sports/colts-star-jonathan-taylor-lands-44-million…

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 1 propaganda technique in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

warning
Loaded Language 80% confidence
Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 11 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

check_circle Corroborated 8
schedule Pending 1
info Single Source 1
help Insufficient Evidence 1
schedule
Claim 1: “With Robinson clocking in at $25 million AAV”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
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Claim 2: “Taylor’s deal reportedly included $39 million guaranteed and is worth up to $47 million”
CORROBORATED
Multiple sources, including The Athletic, CBS Sports, and NFL.com, confirm the $39 million guaranteed and the potential value of $47 million with incentives.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Jonathan Taylor (born January 19, 1999) is an American professional football player who is a running back for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). Taylor played high school f…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Taylor
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Jonathan Taylor (born 1999) is an American football running back. Jonathan Taylor may also refer to:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Taylor_(disambiguatio…
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Jonathan Taylor Thomas (né Weiss; born September 8, 1981) is an American actor and director. He is known for portraying Randy Taylor on Home Improvement (1991–1998) and Pinocchio in the film The Adven…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Taylor_Thomas
+ 3 more evidence sources
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Claim 3: “Taylor, 27, has shown his value throughout his six seasons in the NFL”
CORROBORATED
Web search results confirm Taylor is 27 years old and has played six seasons in the NFL.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The 2026 NFL season is the 107th season of the National Football League (NFL). The regular season is scheduled to begin on September 9, 2026, with reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle hosting New Engl…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_NFL_season
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Jonathan Taylor (born January 19, 1999) is an American professional football player who is a running back for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). Taylor played high school f…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Taylor
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Sean Michael Maurice Taylor (April 1, 1983 – November 27, 2007) was an American professional football player who was a safety for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League (NFL). He was …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sean_Taylor
+ 3 more evidence sources
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Claim 4: “He previously signed a three-year, $42 million deal with the team during the 2023 season that included $26.5 million in guaranteed money”
CORROBORATED
Spotrac and other web sources confirm Taylor signed a three-year, $42 million extension on October 7, 2023, with $26.5 million guaranteed.
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web search NEUTRAL — Jonathan Taylor signed a 2 year, $44,000,000 contract with the Indianapolis Colts with an average annual salary of $22,000,000.Oct 07, 2023Signed a 3 year $42 million contract extension with Indianapo…
https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/player/_/id/47636/jonathan-taylo…
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web search NEUTRAL — Taylor, who’s 27, is guaranteed $39 million of it. Before this deal, Taylor was set to play out the final year of his previous three-year, $42 million contract in 2026.
https://bustedcoverage.com/2026/08/06/jonathan-taylor-signs-…
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web search NEUTRAL — Jonathan Taylor signed a three year, $42 million ($14M APY) contract extension with the Indianapolis Colts on October 7th, 2023. #JonathanTaylor #Colts #JT #Indy Jonathan Taylor 2025 Season Highlights…
https://www.tiktok.com/discover/dont-draft-jonathan-taylor-r…
info
Claim 5: “Taylor has rushed 626 times for 3,016 yards and 29 rushing scores over the last two years, while adding 64 receptions for 514 yards”
SINGLE SOURCE
The specific cumulative totals for the last two years (626 carries, 3,016 yards, 29 scores, 64 receptions, 514 yards) are not corroborated by multiple independent sources in the provided evidence; only the 2025 stats are widely confirmed.
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web search NEUTRAL — 16. Over the last three seasons, no player has a higher yards per attempt than … Malik Willis. 17. Over the last two seasons, the leader in fantasy points per dropback is …
https://www.fantasylife.com/articles/fantasy/matthew-berrys-…
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web search NEUTRAL — At 26, Taylor piled up 1,585 rushing yards on a league-leading 323 carries, and once again topped the NFL with 18 rushing touchdowns. He even added a new wrinkle to his game, catching 46 passes for 37…
https://bustedcoverage.com/2026/08/06/jonathan-taylor-signs-…
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web search NEUTRAL — DeMarco Murray is a mere 29 yards from setting the Dallas Cowboys' franchise rushing record. Breaking the mark set by Emmitt Smith would be "humbling," the running back said on the eve of Week 17.
https://www.nfl.com/news/demarco-murray-humbled-by-rushing-a…
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Claim 6: “he just topped the $20.6 million Saquon Barkley is earning with the Eagles”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was found in the provided search results to confirm Saquon Barkley's specific annual earnings of $20.6 million with the Eagles.
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Claim 7: “Jonathan Taylor joining Bijan Robinson after signing a two-year, $44 million extension with the Colts”
CORROBORATED
Multiple independent sources (ESPN/Adam Schefter, Get Indiana, and other web search results) confirm Jonathan Taylor signed a two-year, $44 million extension with the Colts.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The 2024 season was the Indianapolis Colts' 72nd in the National Football League (NFL), their 41st in Indianapolis, and their 17th playing their home games at Lucas Oil Stadium. It was their eighth un…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_Indianapolis_Colts_season
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The 2025 season was the Indianapolis Colts' 73rd in the National Football League (NFL), their 42nd in Indianapolis, and their 18th playing their home games at Lucas Oil Stadium. It was also their nint…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Indianapolis_Colts_season
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Jonathan Taylor (born January 19, 1999) is an American professional football player who is a running back for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). Taylor played high school f…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Taylor
+ 3 more evidence sources
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Claim 8: “His $22 million average annual value (AAV) ranks second in the sport behind only Robinson”
CORROBORATED
Web search results confirm Taylor's AAV is $22 million and that he, along with Robinson and Gibbs, are among the highest-paid RBs, trailing Robinson's record deal.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Mike and Deuce broke down Bijan Robinson's record-breaking three-year, $75-million contract extension with the Atlanta Falcons, but Deuce reminds New Orleans fans... the Saints have done well against …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jyiz4a-RKME
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web search NEUTRAL — Bijan Robinson, Jonathan Taylor, Jahmyr Gibbs deals continue to show that elite RBs are good values.Detroit Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs is the last running back set for an extension following massive new de…
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/money-suddenly-floods-nfl-…
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web search NEUTRAL — Before last week, only one running back, Saquon Barkley, was making more than $20 million in average annual value. Now three running backs — Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs and Jonathan Taylor — are maki…
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7508981/2026/08/13/nfl-runn…
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Claim 9: “the three-year, $75 million extension signed by Robinson earlier this week”
CORROBORATED
Cross-referenced sources (Flipboard, Nypost) confirm Bijan Robinson signed a three-year, $75 million extension.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The 2025 NFL season was the 106th season of the National Football League (NFL). The regular season began on September 4, 2025, with reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia defeating Dallas in the NF…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_NFL_season
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Bijan (also Bizhan, Bijhan or Bejan; Persian: بیژن) is a Persian given name meaning "Hero". People named Bijan include: Bijan (designer) (1940-2011), surname Pakzad, a fashion and perfume designer Bi…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bijan
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Bijan Robinson ( bə-zhahn; born January 30, 2002) is an American professional football running back for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Te…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bijan_Robinson
+ 2 more evidence sources
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Claim 10: “The former Wisconsin star toted the rock a league-high 323 times and scored an NFL-best 18 rushing touchdowns, while tallying 1,585 rushing yards [in the 2025 campaign]”
CORROBORATED
FantasyData and other web results confirm that in the 2025 season, Taylor had 323 carries, 1,585 yards, and 18 touchdowns, leading the league in carries and touchdowns.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Jonathan Taylor (born January 19, 1999) is an American professional football player who is a running back for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). Taylor played high school f…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Taylor
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — The 2025 NFL season was the 106th season of the National Football League (NFL). The regular season began on September 4, 2025, with reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia defeating Dallas in the NF…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_NFL_season
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — The 2025 NFL draft was the 90th annual meeting of National Football League (NFL) franchises to select newly eligible players. The draft was held at Lambeau Field and its adjacent Titletown District in…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_NFL_draft
+ 3 more evidence sources
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Claim 11: “is the largest third contract ever received by a running back”
CORROBORATED
Multiple sources (Yahoo Sports/Pro Football Network and other web results) explicitly state this is the largest third contract ever for an NFL running back.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Check out Jonathan Taylor's new $44 million Colts extension, the largest third contract ever for an NFL running back.Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts Agree to Historic Contract Extension. The exten…
https://heavy.com/sports/nfl/indianapolis-colts/colts-jonath…
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web search NEUTRAL — Pro Football Network. Jonathan Taylor's Favorable Extension is Telling About Colts' Future. Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor is staying with the franchise for a third contract.Colts Han…
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/colts-announce-jonathan-ta…
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web search NEUTRAL — Jonathan Taylor is the latest running back to cash in with a new deal this summer. Insider Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reported on Thursday that Taylor has agreed to a 2-year, $44 million contract…
https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/colts_have_made_a_de…
info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.