Indianapolis Colts star running back Jonathan Taylor signed a two-year, $44 million contract extension this morning, continuing the trend of upper-echelon running backs getting paid in a big way.
Last offseason saw Saquon Barkley sign a two-year, $41.2 million contract extension with the Philadelphia Eagles and Derrick Henry sign a similar deal with Baltimore (2-year, $30 million).
This offseason has included three superstar running backs getting big pay days: De'Von Achane with the Miami Dolphins (4-year, $64 million), Bijan Robinson with the Atlanta Falcons (3-year, $66.75 million), and now Taylor.
The Colts' bell-cow certainly deserves it after he had his second-most productive season last year when he rushed for 1,585 yards and an NFL-leading 18 touchdowns. He's a do-it-all back that can breakaway from defenders once he reaches the second level, while also being willing to put his head down and fight for tough yards.
For a long time, NFL teams were wary when it came to paying running backs due to their short shelf-life and the thought that they can be easily replaced, though that thinking has changed recently.
With Kenneth Walker II winning Super Bowl MVP in February and Barkley taking home the same award in 2025, it's become obvious that the great backs in this league are, indeed, valuable. This was further proved in the 2026 Draft when Jeremiyah Love became the first running back to be selected top-three since Barkley in 2018 went second overall.
Next up on the docket to be paid is the Detroit Lions' Jahmyr Gibbs. He's been holding-in at camp, but practiced today, as he awaits a contract that will surely make him the highest paid running back in NFL history.
Highest Paid Running Backs in the NFL
Highest paid running backs in the NFL based on average annual salary:
Player | Average Annual Salary | Total Value |
$22,250,000 | $66,750,000 | |
$22,000,000 | 44,000,000 | |
$20,600,000 | $41,200,000 | |
$19,000,000 | $38,000,000 | |
$16,000,000 | $64,000,000 | |
$15,000,000 | $30,000,000 |
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Top 10 Running Backs in the NFL.
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