Fansided

3 running backs who will be the next Saquon Barkley with contract disputes

By Scott Rogust

Saquon Barkley #26 of the New York Giants reacts during the third quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 21, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Saquon Barkley #26 of the New York Giants reacts during the third quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 21, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 3
Next
Jonathan Taylor, Colts
Dec 17, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) warms up before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /

Running backs who will be the next Saquon Barkley with contract disputes, No. 1: Jonathan Taylor, Colts

When it comes to running backs who could need a new contract in the very near future, the biggest name is none other than Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts.

Taylor wasn’t the first running back taken off the board in the 2020 NFL Draft, as that recognition belonged to Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who was taken 32nd overall by the Kansas City Chiefs. But with the 41st overall pick, the Colts selected Taylor out of Wisconsin, and that decision paid off.

As a rookie, Taylor averaged 5.0 yards per carry after recording 1,169 yards and 11 touchdowns on 232 carries. Then there was his second year, in which he led all running backs in rushing yards (1,811), rushing touchdowns (18), carries (332), and rushing yards per game (106.5). Even with those numbers, he finished second in Offensive Player of the Year, losing to Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp.

This past season, Taylor didn’t crack the 1,000 rushing yards mark, as he missed six games due to two ankle injuries. In 11 games, Taylor recorded 861 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns on 192 carries.

Overall, Taylor has 3,841 rushing yards and 33 rushing touchdowns to his credit through the first three seasons of his career.

Taylor is set to become an unrestricted free agent after this season since he wasn’t a first-round selection and doesn’t have a fifth-year option attached to his contract. Considering he is an explosive playmaker, one has to wonder if the Colts will be stingy in contract talks. Let’s just say that Taylor was paying attention to the news regarding Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs.

Will Taylor be the next running back that will have to go through what Barkley had to go through this offseason? Well, we’ll find out next year.

Next. 3 running backs Giants should target for life without Saquon Barkley. dark

Home/NFL Rumors