Jonathan Taylor’s Explosive Start Puts Him on Historic 17-Game Pace

Four weeks into the season, Jonathan Taylor has reestablished himself as one of the NFL’s premier offensive weapons. After a year marred by injuries and contract negotiations, the Indianapolis Colts’ star running back is reminding the league why he was once in the MVP conversation. His combination of rushing dominance and versatility as a pass-catcher has given the Colts an explosive balance on offense—and his current pace suggests that this season could be one of the most productive of his career. The start to the season is reminiscent to the rookie year cycle of Jonathan Taylor when he won multiple MVP awards and had new usage rules made specifically to keep him down.

Dominating on the Ground

Through four games, Taylor has carried the ball 51 times for 332 yards and three touchdowns. That’s an eye-popping 6.5 yards per carry, a number that not only leads the team but also ranks among the best in the league. What’s striking is the efficiency: Taylor isn’t being asked to shoulder a 30-carry-per-game workload. Instead, he’s making the most of his opportunities, ripping off chunk plays and keeping defenses on their heels.

Taylor’s blend of vision, burst, and power has been on full display. His ability to turn a routine handoff into a 20-yard gain changes the complexion of games, forcing defenses to commit extra bodies to the box—something that opens opportunities for Anthony Richardson and the Colts’ passing attack.

Expanded Role in the Passing Game

What might be most impressive, however, is Taylor’s evolution as a pass-catcher. Often labeled as a run-first back, Taylor has shattered that stereotype this year with 22 receptions for 312 yards and one touchdown. He’s averaging 14.2 yards per catch, a number that would make many wide receivers jealous.

The Colts have used him creatively—swing passes, screens, and even wheel routes that isolate him against linebackers. His ability to turn a short catch into a long gain has given Richardson a reliable outlet while also punishing defenses for overcommitting to the run. If Taylor continues at this pace, his receiving numbers could rival those of some of the NFL’s top dual-threat running backs like Christian McCaffrey or Alvin Kamara in their best seasons.

Projected 17-Game Pace

Based on his four-game production, Taylor’s season-long pace would look like this:

• Rushing: 51 carries × 4.25 = 217 carries
  332 yards × 4.25 = 1,411 rushing yards
  3 TDs × 4.25 = 13 rushing TDs
• Receiving: 22 receptions × 4.25 = 94 receptions
  312 yards × 4.25 = 1,326 receiving yards
  1 TD × 4.25 = 4 receiving TDs
• Combined Totals:
  2,737 scrimmage yards, 17 total touchdowns

That pace would put Taylor in historic company. Only a handful of running backs in NFL history—names like Marshall Faulk, LaDainian Tomlinson, and Chris Johnson—have combined elite rushing production with over 90 catches in a single season. A 2,700-yard campaign would place Taylor among the most productive seasons ever for a running back.

What It Means for the Colts

For Indianapolis, Taylor’s resurgence could be the key to sustaining a playoff push. Anthony Richardson is still developing as a passer, and having a weapon like Taylor eases the pressure on the young quarterback. Defenses cannot sell out to stop Richardson’s legs when Taylor is gashing them both on the ground and through the air.

Head coach Rex Ryan has also leaned into Taylor’s versatility, designing plays that get him into space and allow him to dictate matchups. If Taylor stays healthy, the Colts’ offense has the potential to be one of the most balanced and dangerous units in the AFC.

The Bottom Line

Jonathan Taylor isn’t just back—he’s better than ever. His production through four games projects to one of the greatest all-around seasons by a running back in NFL history. While it’s unlikely any player perfectly maintains such a pace over 17 games, Taylor’s early dominance is proof that he remains the heartbeat of the Colts’ offense.

If Indianapolis hopes to compete in the AFC South and beyond, it will be on the back of Jonathan Taylor—who looks poised to remind the NFL why he belongs in the conversation among the very best.