Jonathan Taylor on how he will approach the Colts’ quarterback competition from the running back position.
All eyes will be on the Indianapolis Colts’ quarterback competition this summer, but how will Jonathan Taylor approach the battle for those starting snaps from a running back’s perspective?
“Well, No. 1, similar to last year, I mean, this was more injuries, but we had guys in and out of the offensive line, so it’s almost like you have to remember, okay, who am I in with and how do they like running a specific scheme,” Taylor said.
“Of course, there is a way as a whole we want to run it, but quarterbacks have their freedom to operate in their own style or fashion. So you gotta know, who’s in there right now? Okay, we running this scheme, I know what he likes, I know I need to be in my spot kind of early or, we have him in here, I know I can take my time a little bit, he doesn’t progress to be until a little bit later.”
After navigating injuries in 2022 and 2023, Taylor put together a huge 2024 season, rushing for 1,431 yards in just 14 games, while averaging 4.7 yards per rush and scoring 11 touchdowns, according to PFF.
Regardless of who the starting quarterback is, Taylor is going to play a pivotal role in that player’s success.
When an offense has a strong running game to lean on, it keeps them out of predictable passing situations where the defense then has the advantage.
Regularly operating from manageable down-and-distances can also open up opportunities in the passing game as well, and keep defenses off-balanced and guessing, helping to put the quarterback in a position to be successful.
By being his usual productive self, Taylor will help whoever the Colts‘ starting quarterback ends up being. But as he learned from Phillip Rivers, understanding how each quarterback likes to run certain plays and how they operate once the ball is snapped, can allow Taylor to do everything in his power to make sure the quarterback is comfortable.
“I started trying to figure that out with Phillip Rivers,” Taylor added, “just because, I mean, Phillip Rivers is a legend, so I’m like the elite backs you’ve played with, what did they do that made you comfortable and allowed you to do your job easier?
“Ever since then, I’ve just been trying to pick up little cues from different quarterbacks, whoever my quarterback is to understand I just want to be the best player for them. At the end of the day, if the guy at the helm is comfortable, you got a really great chance of winning.”