No doubt about it, Jonathan Taylor is in the race for NFL MVP. The Indianapolis Colts running back is having a phenomenal season so far. He’s leading the league in carries (189), yards per carry (6.0), rushing yards (1,139), and rushing touchdowns (15).
Recently, NFL Network analyst Gerald McCoy made an appearance on The Dan Patrick Show. The six-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle said he believes Taylor will win the MVP this season:
“If any year’s the year to go win it, it’s this year because there’s not any quarterback that’s like, ‘Wow! Look at what this guy’s doing!’ We’re not seeing those types of games from quarterbacks. Saquon (Barkley), any other year, would have been the MVP last year, but look at what he was up against. Jonathan Taylor’s not up against that this year. I think he’ll win MVP.”
Indy fans would love to see Taylor win MVP. No Colts player has won the award since the 2009 season (Peyton Manning). It remains to be seen, though, whether Taylor can get the job done this year.
‘I Think He’ll Win MVP’: Former Defensive Tackle Gerald McCoy Believes in Colts Superstar Jonathan Taylor
Jonathan Taylor, running back, Indianapolis Colts
Sep 14, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) runs the football against the Denver Broncos at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: INDIANAPOLIS STAR-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
Taylor’s Spectacular Season Thus Far
Who would’ve guessed the Colts would be a Super Bowl contender? The team is tied with the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots for the league’s best record (8-2).
Quarterback Daniel Jones, who’s in his first season in Indianapolis, deserves some of the credit for the Colts’ success. But Jonathan Taylor has put the team on his back and is playing like a superstar.
In the recent win over the Atlanta Falcons, Taylor went off for 244 rushing yards and three touchdowns. He also caught three passes for 42 yards in that contest. His biggest highlights of the game were his final two touchdowns, which were an 83-yard run with just over six minutes remaining in regulation and the game-winning eight-yard scamper during overtime.
Taylor’s 286-yard, three-touchdown performance against Atlanta is certainly an MVP game. He joined O.J. Simpson and Corey Dillon as the only players in NFL history to ever rush for 240+ yards in multiple games in their careers.
Other memorable performances from Taylor this year include his 215-yard (165 rushing and 50 yards receiving) game against the Denver Broncos and a 174, three-touchdown outing versus the Tennessee Titans. He’s produced four three-yard rushing touchdown games this season.
Will He Win MVP?
The NFL MVP has become pretty much a quarterback-only award. Running back Adrian Peterson was the last non-quarterback to win it. That happened in 2012 when he rushed for 2,097 yards and 12 touchdowns as a member of the Minnesota Vikings.
With that said, it will be difficult for Taylor to win MVP. However, it’s not impossible. Taylor, the 2021 rushing champ, must stay consistent, and the Colts have to continue winning.
Plus, Taylor has to stay healthy. He missed a combined 16 games from 2022 to 2024. Fortunately, though, he’s dodged the injury bug this season.
Expect the Colts to continue their winning ways all season long. And look for Jonathan Taylor to end a 13-year streak and win MVP as a non-quarterback.