On Tuesday, August 4, Bijan Robinson landed a contract extension that makes him the NFL’s highest-paid running back. Robinson’s new deal has a base value of $66.7 million, but he can earn up to $75 million across three seasons.
Meanwhile, such a lofty contract now has other high-performing backs licking their chops, knowing Robinson just raised the bar at the position.
Jonathan Taylor Excited About Bijan Robinson’s Deal
Detroit Lions star Jahmyr Gibbs is surely looking forward to negotiating his first extension, but he’s not the only elite back expected to land a new deal soon.
Indianapolis Colts’ Jonathan Taylor is only signed through the rest of the season. If the Colts want to make him a key part of their future, they’ll have to cough up the big bucks with an extension.
Taylor, of course, found out about the Robinson extension through the media. Once he heard, Taylor’s first reaction was, “I gotta go talk to my agent.”
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“I gotta go talk to my agent, too,” Taylor said. “I have to come back home and see where things are at. We’re just trying to focus on getting better, making sure I’m staying in shape. I have faith, so I’m gonna tap in and check in with him, now that you guys broke the news to me.”
Jonathan Taylor after hearing about Bijan Robinson’s new deal, via @RomeovilleKid:
“Hopefully, I gotta go talk to my agent, too … I have faith, so I’m gonna tap in and check in with him, now that you guys broke the news to me.” pic.twitter.com/xmtATr5lPJ
— Underdog NFL (@UnderdogNFL) August 4, 2026
The last time Taylor signed a contract was in Oct. 2023. That’s when he inked a three-year deal worth $42 million. That deal was viewed as an outlier at the time, but now Robinson is making nearly twice as much per season.
Taylor currently ranks eighth among running backs in annual average salary, just behind reigning Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III.
Surely, Taylor, who, like Robinson, is also a multi-time Pro Bowler and First-Team All-Pro selection, believes he’ll do even better in contract negotiations this time around. Taylor ranked third in rushing last season, just ahead of Robinson. But the Falcons’ all-purpose back made more of an impact as a pass-catcher, leading the NFL in yards from scrimmage.
However, Taylor led all running backs in Pro Football Network’s Impact Rating with an 89.1 grade last season. No one would argue he’s among the very best running backs in football, and now Taylor expects to be paid like it.
