The NFL in 2026 is all about explosive plays. Offensive coordinators are constantly trying to get them; defensive coordinators are constantly trying to prevent them.
Over the last few years, defensive coordinators have found ways to limit those chunk gains through the air, largely by playing both safeties deep as opposed to dropping one into the box. From 2016-2020, offenses averaged 5.7 explosive (15+ yards) passing plays per game. From 2021-2025, that dropped to 5.3; it may seem small, but explosive plays are a skeleton key to unlock drives that end with points. From 2016-2020, offenses averaged +.025 EPA per play; from 2021-2025, offenses averaged -.004 EPA per play.
So how does an offense counter it being more difficult than ever (at least in recent memory) to generate explosive plays through the air?
One answer: Have a running back who can get you those explosive plays himself.
Like Jonathan Taylor.
From 2021-2025, Taylor gained 15+ yards on 69 rushes, third in the NFL behind only Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkley. Sixteen of those rushes went for touchdowns, behind only Henry's 18.
And out of 47 players with 20+ rushes of 15+ yards in the last five seasons, only Taylor averaged over 30 yards per carry on those. Meaning: Taylor isn't just getting explosive plays, he's detonating an entire defensive plan when he breaks into the open field.
Plenty of these big-time runs by Taylor, too, come after contact. Taylor in 2025 led the NFL in rushing yards after contact (637) and missed tackles forced (93).
All that leads to Taylor being an explosive play waiting to happen every time he touches the ball. And in a league geared toward limiting those, the Colts can take comfort in Taylor's ability to go against the grain – and, often, into the end zone.
From highlight-reel runs to memorable celebrations, revisit some of the moments highlighting Jonathan Taylor's career.
RB Jonathan Taylor #28
OL Quenton Nelson #56 and RB Jonathan Taylor #28
Casey Foyt Owner & Executive Vice President, Kalen Jackson - Owner & Chief Brand Officer and President of the Indianapolis Colts Foundation, RB Jonathan Taylor #28 and Carlie Irsay-Gordon Owner & CEO
QB Daniel Jones #17 and RB Jonathan Taylor #28
WR Michael Pittman Jr. #11, RBJonathan Taylor#28 and TETyler Warren#84
RB Jonathan Taylor #28
TETyler Warren#84, RBJonathan Taylor#28 and WRMichael Pittman Jr.#11
RB Jonathan Taylor #28
RB Jonathan Taylor #28
RB Jonathan Taylor #28
RB Jonathan Taylor #28
RB Jonathan Taylor #28
RB Jonathan Taylor #28
RB Jonathan Taylor #28
OL Bernhard Raimann #79, RB Jonathan Taylor #28, OL Quenton Nelson #56 and TE Mo Alie-Cox #81
RB Jonathan Taylor #28
TE Mo Alie-Cox #81, G Quenton Nelson #56 and RB Jonathan Taylor #28
QB Daniel Jones #17 and RB Jonathan Taylor #28
QB Daniel Jones #17 and RB Jonathan Taylor #28
RB Jonathan Taylor #28, WR Michael Pittman Jr. #11 and TE Tyler Warren #84
RB Jonathan Taylor #28
RB Jonathan Taylor #28
RB Jonathan Taylor #28
G Matt Goncalves #71, RB Jonathan Taylor #28, RB Tyler Goodson #31, TE Mo Alie-Cox #81 and WR Ashton Dulin #16
RB Jonathan Taylor #28
RB Jonathan Taylor #28
RB Ameer Abdullah #26, T Bernhard Raimann #79, RB Jonathan Taylor #28, G Quenton Nelson #56 and TE Tyler Warren #84
G Quenton Nelson #56 and RB Jonathan Taylor #28
RB Jonathan Taylor #28
RB Jonathan Taylor #28 and WR Alec Pierce #14
RB Jonathan Taylor #28
RB Jonathan Taylor #28
RB Jonathan Taylor #28
RB Jonathan Taylor #28
TE Tyler Warren #84, RB Jonathan Taylor #28 and WR Alec Pierce #14
TE Tyler Warren #84, RB Jonathan Taylor #28 and T Braden Smith #72
WR Alec Pierce #14 and RB Jonathan Taylor #28
RB Jonathan Taylor #28
T Bernhard Raimann #79 and RB Jonathan Taylor #28
RB Jonathan Taylor #28
G Quenton Nelson #56 and RB Jonathan Taylor #28
RB Jonathan Taylor #28
RB Jonathan Taylor #28
RB Jonathan Taylor #28
RB Jonathan Taylor #28
QB Phillip Rivers #17 and RB Jonathan Taylor #28
RB Jonathan Taylor #28
RB Jonathan Taylor #28
WR Michael Pittman Jr. #11 and RB Jonathan Taylor #28
RB Jonathan Taylor #28
RB Jonathan Taylor #28
RB Jonathan Taylor #28
RB Jonathan Taylor #28
RB Jonathan Taylor #28
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) poses for a portrait during the 2026 Pro Bowl on Sunday, February 1, 2026 in San Francisco. (Alika Jenner/NFL)
RB Tyler Goodson #31 and RB Jonathan Taylor #28
RB Jonathan Taylor #28
RB Jonathan Taylor #28
RB Jonathan Taylor #28
RB Jonathan Taylor #28
RB Jonathan Taylor #28
RB Jonathan Taylor #28
RB Jonathan Taylor #28
RB Jonathan Taylor #28
