Jonathan Taylor stats: Colts RB regains title of 'NFL's best running back' in 2025

Jonathan Taylor, barring anymore injury issues, will win the NFL rushing title for the second time in his prolific career as the Indianapolis Colts' starting running back. After a few injury-riddled season, Taylor is again putting the numbers that make him the "best running back in the NFL."

Although he's a massive reason why the Colts are the surprise leaders in the AFC South with an NFL best 7-1 record coming out of Week 8, Taylor won't get any AP Most Valuable Player buzz based on not playing quarterback. But at his position, he is on his way to doing something he didn't do in his breakout second year in 2021 -- run away with NFL Offensive Player of the Year -- the consolation prize for the best non-QB MVP.

Taylor, through eight games has led the Colts' league-best scoring offense, which will go up to an average of 33.8 points per game after Sunday's latest rout, 38-14 of the one-win last-place Titans.

Here's first looking at Taylor's dominant RB stats in 2025, how they compare pace-wise to what he did in 2021 and then explaining why he is all the way back to top of his position:

Jonathan Taylor stats comparison: 2025 vs. 2021

Taylor is on pace for fewer rushing yards than he posted four seasons ago, but he's doing a lot more with less of a workload, especially with his scoring bonanza. Taylor did play 17 games in 2021, so this reflects him playing through Week 18 in 2025.

MORE: Five stats that explain the Indianapolis Colts' dominant season

Is Jonathan Taylor on pace for an NFL total TD record?

Taylor, should he keep up his torrid touchdown tear, would still fall one short of the record of 31 total TDs from scrimmage, set by Chargers Hall of Fame running back LaDainian Tomlinson in 2006. In that season, Tomlinson rushed for 1,815 yards and had 2,323 yards from scrimmage with 28 rushing TDs and 3 receiving TDs. Tomlinson also added two of his career seven passing TDs in that season.

The record for single-season rushing yards belongs to the Rams' Eric Dickerson (2,105 in 1984) while the highest-ever scrimmage total was posted by the Titans' Chris Johnson (2,509 in 2009). Taylor would not be in the neighborhood yet for either of those marks despite knocking on Tomlinson's door.

Three reasons for Jonathan Taylor's big 2025 season

1. Shane Steichen's offense is clicking with ideal personnel

The Colts still have a strong offensive line despite some offseason losses, anchored by left tackle Bernhard Raimann and left guard Quenton Nelson. They have the ideal QB to execute a diverse, explosive passing game which is strong with ace wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. and superstar rookie tight end Tyler Warren on intermediate routes and wideouts Josh Downs (quickness) and Alec Pierce (speed) ready to stretch the field.

The Colts' dangerous and efficient passing game with Jones has further opened up running lanes for Taylor to help the run blockers and the deep ball delivery has kept teams from committing extra safety help to slowing him down. It's the perfect supporting storm.

2. Jonathan Taylor has left his contract and injury issues behind him

Taylor has no more concern about getting paid what he wants from the Colts.  He is playing in the middle of a 3-year, $42 million deal that got him $26.5 million guaranteed through 2026. He also doesn't have any concerns with a recent past troublesome ankle injury.

3. Jonathan Taylor is motivated by other RBs to prove he's the best

Eagles' running back Saquon Barkley, Ravens running back Derrick Henry and 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey have been the latest backs to stake a firm claim on "best running back in the NFL." They all have won OPOY since 2020.

Taylor has top-level talent to match all three backs and is once again getting a chance to have more impact as a receiver. Plus, he lost out on OPOY in 2021 when Cooper Kupp put up a Triple Crown receiving season for the Rams.

Taylor is making up for lost time, and he will soon join Barkley, Henry and McCaffrey in that special best-non QB offensive skill club, making it three RBs in six years.

MORE: How Jonathan Taylor matched the NFL record that he set in 2021