The Need for a Pass Protecting RB, Solving the Colts’ Main Problem in 2026
As we know, the Colts’ season was a tale of two halves. Through the first 10 weeks of the season, this team has been an offensive juggernaut. Refusing to hit the ball, hitting at will, and putting up historic numbers.
Suddenly no one was there.. they were not there.
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No single factor has caused such a drastic change in offensive production. Injuries played a role, but the entire team bounced back.
I firmly believe that the previous session was not a mistake. You don’t stumble into that kind of production by accident. I don’t care who they played or how bad they looked afterwards. The Colts have flashed a real power- that I believe can live up to this year.
One player in particular who was relegated was Jonathan Taylor. Now to do well, he put the whole team on his back many times at the beginning of the season. So while I’m not condoning his late season regression, it’s only fair to acknowledge what a special player he is.
But the Atlanta game exposed the mistakes that the Chiefs decided to use until they entered the middle of the year.
Pass Protection.
Pass Pro has never been Jonathan Taylor’s strong suit. Yes, you pay and rely on guys like 28 to carry the ball and get 3 times a game, not block the LB or Safety off the Edge.
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But if you insist on taking him out of all 4, you pay a price.
When the defense brings pressure, offenses usually rely on one of two philosophies: “throw,” where the offense leaves the extra blitzer open and gets the ball out quickly, or keep the extra TEs and RBs on the defense and trust the WRs to win downs against the DBs in coverage. The Colts chose the latter.
In the early stages of the season, we saw Jonathan Taylor really excel in pass protection, but as the season went on, that wasn’t the case.
This first piece here is a decent one from Jonathan Taylor. Are the eyes upward, have a wide base, and are square with a linebacker. But if he barks and shoots his hands, that gets him hit.
This is another clip that starts off very well. The Colts slide left and do a good job ID’ing 4 on the edge. But although the sack is not on Jonathan Taylor, his work style is not favorable either. It’s tough because Quenton Nelson gets a lot of depth to try to get past this tackle with Tanor Bortolini. That makes it difficult for JT to get a square with Kaden Eliss. But by blowing on Eliss, it makes it much easier for him to use his hands and avoid being chased.
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The numbers also tell the story of an offense that regressed in their ability to punish pressure.
In September teams drove Daniel Jones like crazy. That’s what he struggled to do in New York, so it makes sense that Anthony Weaver and Vance Joseph would exude the same philosophy. But Shane Steichen and Jones were prepared and both paid the price.
Teams stopped cheering Jones because they knew they would be punished for it.
That was until Jeff Ulbrich blasted the Colts to a 41% Blz/Db. Jonathan Taylor’s struggles in the pass pro became apparent and Spags took notice. You’re buzzing at a very similar 36%/Db.
Obviously when Phil Rivers takes over and gets the ball out quickly, teams are adjusted. But that really stopped the Colts down.
Teams know they can bring pressure (or simulated pressure) on the RB side, similar to how the Texans did here.
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They were just going to gamble that Jonathan Taylor wasn’t going to win and that they could taunt Jones in the pocket. And somehow it worked.
BOTTOM LINE
Punitive pressure is the job of 11 men. Jonathan Taylor’s regression in pass protection isn’t the only reason the Colts’ offense is out of time. It’s also not a reason the Colts should miss the playoffs, or a reason a potential extension shouldn’t be considered.
Instead I think it points to the need for a quality running back behind Jonathan Taylor, something the Colts have eerily avoided since Zack Moss left the team in 2023.
Jonathan Taylor has had two solid years of relatively good health. Unfortunately in a game that is violent, and in a situation that is less violent all the time, that is statistically unlikely to happen throughout his career.
Aside from the game-changing plays, his high energy, and how special a player he is, I think it’s time for the Colts to consider the number of snaps he takes.
There is nothing wrong with having Zack Moss. There is nothing wrong with a player who can give Jonathan Taylor the break he deserves
Runningback is a strange place where there is a small group of elite players in their division. So you are afraid to take them out of the field.
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I don’t think the Colts need to be afraid. I think the Colts need to be smart and realize what Jonathan Taylor is, and what he isn’t.
He is one of the league’s special runners. He can win games for you on his own. But he’s also a guy who can’t be lazy with his technique in pass protection and doesn’t always put his face in the fire.
That’s right. But it’s also okay to put someone on the field who will do it.
