In a league dominated by quarterbacks, it takes a truly exceptional season for a running back to enter the Most Valuable Player conversation. October 2025 has proven to be that pivotal moment for Indianapolis Colts star Jonathan Taylor, whose historic month has transformed him from an elite running back to a legitimate MVP candidate.

The October Explosion

Jonathan Taylor Colts

Taylor's October performance has been nothing short of extraordinary, propelling the Colts to a perfect 4-0 record during the month. His statistical output has been staggering:

529 scrimmage yards in four games
10 total touchdowns (9 rushing, 1 receiving)
6.6 yards per rushing attempt
A career-long 80-yard touchdown run against Tennessee
Made NFL history by becoming the first player to record three touchdowns against the same opponent (Titans) in three consecutive games

This exceptional performance earned Taylor the AFC Offensive Player of the Month award for October, putting the football world on notice that his MVP candidacy is legitimate.

The Full Season Picture

While October elevated Taylor's national profile, his complete 2025 season tells an even more compelling story. Through eight games, Taylor's numbers are historically impressive:

Statistic	Total	NFL Rank
Rushing Yards	850	1st
Rushing TDs	12	1st
Total TDs	14	1st
Yards Per Carry	5.9	Top 5
Explosive Runs	23	1st
Yards After Contact Per Carry	Top 10	-

Taylor is the only player in the NFL currently with over 800 rushing yards and double-digit rushing touchdowns. He's recorded three touchdowns in four different games this season, joining an exclusive club that includes NFL legends like LaDainian Tomlinson, Marshall Faulk, and Priest Holmes.

At his current pace, Taylor would finish the 2025 season with approximately:

1,806 rushing yards
26 rushing touchdowns
30 total touchdowns
Over 2,200 all-purpose yards

These projections would put him in the conversation for one of the greatest running back seasons in NFL history.

The Wisconsin Foundation

Jonathan Taylor Wisconsin

Taylor's dominance shouldn't surprise anyone who followed his collegiate career at the University of Wisconsin. During his three seasons as a Badger, Taylor established himself as one of college football's all-time great running backs:

Became the first NCAA player to rush for 6,000 yards in three seasons
Finished sixth all-time in NCAA rushing
Two-time Doak Walker Award winner (2018, 2019) as the nation's top running back
Three-time Heisman Trophy finalist (6th in 2017, 9th in 2018, 5th in 2019)
NCAA record for most rushing yards by a freshman and sophomore
Averaged 150.6 rushing yards per game throughout his college career

The Wisconsin program's tradition of developing elite running backs provided Taylor with the perfect foundation to build his pro career. His college coach, Paul Chryst, focused on establishing a power run game behind a mammoth offensive line – principles that translate directly to Taylor's success with Indianapolis today.

The MVP Obstacle Course

Despite Taylor's impressive numbers, history shows the challenge ahead for a running back seeking the NFL's highest individual honor. The last non-quarterback to win MVP was Adrian Peterson in 2012, and only five running backs have claimed the award in the 21st century:

Marshall Faulk (2000)
Shaun Alexander (2005)
LaDainian Tomlinson (2006)
Adrian Peterson (2012)
Jonathan Taylor? (2025)

Peterson's 2012 MVP season, which followed his recovery from a torn ACL, saw him rush for 2,097 yards – just nine yards shy of Eric Dickerson's all-time record. The Vikings improved from 3-13 to 10-6 that season, making the playoffs largely on Peterson's shoulders.

Taylor's 2025 campaign bears striking similarities. While he didn't suffer an ACL tear, Taylor has battled injuries over the past few seasons before returning to full strength this year. The Colts have surged to a 7-1 record, leading the NFL in scoring while featuring one of the league's most balanced attacks.

The Elite Offensive Line Factor

No running back achieves MVP-worthy production without exceptional blocking, and the Colts' offensive line has emerged as perhaps the NFL's best unit in 2025. Indianapolis features three linemen ranked among the top 12 at their positions according to Pro Football Focus:

All-Pro left guard Quenton Nelson (2nd among all guards)
Center Tanor Bortolini (6th overall in his first season as starter)
Left tackle Bernhard Raimann (12th)

This outstanding line play has helped Indianapolis become the NFL's most efficient offense over the past month. The unit ranks first in EPA (Expected Points Added) per play, with even their run game alone outperforming every other team's total offense during that span.

As Taylor himself humbly acknowledges: "I mean, you just see the plays blocked perfectly, and you usually end up with your one-on-one match up. That's usually how most plays are intended. A man on a man, and then you're usually left with one."

The Quarterback Competition

Traditionally, quarterbacks dominate the MVP conversation, and 2025 is no different. However, unlike some seasons where a single QB puts up historic numbers, this year presents a more balanced field:

Lamar Jackson (Baltimore Ravens)
Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs)
Josh Allen (Buffalo Bills)
Matthew Stafford (Los Angeles Rams)
Drake Maye (New England Patriots)

While these quarterbacks are having strong seasons, none has separated from the pack with truly historic numbers. This potential vote-splitting among QB candidates could create an opening for Taylor – especially if the Colts continue their winning ways.

Interestingly, Taylor's quarterback, Daniel Jones, has also experienced a career renaissance in Indianapolis after struggling for years with the New York Giants. Jones' success further validates Taylor's MVP case, as opponents can't simply stack the box to stop the run.

The Team Impact

Perhaps the strongest argument for Taylor's MVP candidacy is the Colts' remarkable team success. At 7-1, Indianapolis has the NFL's best record midway through the season. The team leads the league in scoring at 33.1 points per game and features the third-most points through seven games in franchise history.

This success directly connects to Taylor's impact. When your running back averages nearly 6 yards per carry and scores multiple touchdowns regularly, it creates a ripple effect throughout the team:

Opposing defenses must commit extra defenders to stop the run
Play-action passing becomes devastatingly effective
Time of possession tilts in your favor
Your defense stays fresher throughout games
Third-down distances remain manageable

As Colts head coach Shane Steichen noted after Taylor's latest three-touchdown performance against Tennessee: "It's impressive. It's hard to put into words, to be honest, because when you see the way he's running, the way the guys are blocking for him, I mean, it's special. It really is."

The Historical Perspective

To contextualize Taylor's 2025 campaign, it's worth comparing his pace to some of the greatest running back seasons in NFL history:

LaDainian Tomlinson (2006): 1,815 rushing yards, 28 rushing TDs, 31 total TDs
Shaun Alexander (2005): 1,880 rushing yards, 27 rushing TDs, 28 total TDs
Marshall Faulk (2000): 1,359 rushing yards, 18 rushing TDs, 26 total TDs
Adrian Peterson (2012): 2,097 rushing yards, 12 rushing TDs, 13 total TDs

Taylor's projected 26 rushing touchdowns and 30 total touchdowns would rival Tomlinson's record-setting 2006 season. While he may not match Peterson's yardage total, his scoring impact could be even more significant.

Looking Ahead

The second half of the season will be critical for Taylor's MVP hopes. The Colts face several challenging defenses, including the Pittsburgh Steelers (Week 9), Baltimore Ravens (Week 13), and Buffalo Bills (Week 17). How Taylor performs in these spotlight games could ultimately determine whether he joins the exclusive club of non-QB MVP winners.

For Taylor to secure the award, several factors likely need to align:

The Colts must finish with a top seed in the AFC
Taylor needs to approach or break the NFL touchdown record
No quarterback can emerge with truly historic numbers
Taylor must continue to deliver highlight-worthy performances in prime-time games

Conclusion

Jonathan Taylor's October explosion has transformed him from a star running back to a legitimate MVP candidate. His combination of explosive plays, consistent production, and team impact creates a compelling case that he is indeed the NFL's most valuable player in 2025.

While the quarterback bias in MVP voting presents a significant hurdle, Taylor's historic pace gives him a legitimate shot to become the first non-QB since Adrian Peterson to claim the award. If the second half of his season matches what we've seen so far, the NFL might need to make room for a running back atop its individual honor roll once again.

Sources: NFL.com, ESPN, Pro Football Focus, Sports Illustrated, The Ringer, NBC Sports