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Indianapolis Colts star running back Jonathan Taylor has served as one of the driving forces on the NFL‘s best team through the first eight weeks of the season. As a result, Taylor has made a fan out of one legendary running back who took the league by storm in his own playing career. Taylor leads the NFL in both rushing yards and rushing touchdowns thus far, helping Indianapolis get out to a 7-1 start in the process. This is the organization’s best start to a season since the Peyton Manning era in 2009. Because of this hot start paired with Taylor’s production, the former Wisconsin product has squarely inserted himself into the MVP picture. One running back who accomplished the rare feat of being named a league MVP, former Chargers star LaDainian Tomlinson, has quickly taken notice of what Taylor has done. INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – OCTOBER 26: Jonathan Taylor #28 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates after his team’s 38-14 victory against the Tennessee Titans in the game at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 26, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) More news: Vikings’ JJ McCarthy Shares Strong Message Ahead of Week 9 Return In a conversation with Kay Adams on the “Up & Adams” show, Taylor discussed a message he received from Tomlinson prior to the game. In particular, Taylor relayed how Tomlinson had told him that he “really loved” his style of play. “He told me that he really loved my game,” said Taylor. “To continue to work, to reach new heights. He just loved the way that I work; he can see it in my play. That meant a lot coming from him.” What did LaDainian Tomlinson say to Jonathan Taylor before his huge game against the Chargers?@JayT23 | @Colts | @LT_21 | @heykayadams pic.twitter.com/kACezNpRgY— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) October 30, 2025 More news: Commanders Reveal Major Update on Terry McLaurin’s Injury Setback Very few running backs in the history of the NFL were as productive as Tomlinson over the course of his illustrious 11-year NFL career. So this message certainly means a lot to Taylor coming from someone as historically great as him. If Taylor does continue to produce at this level moving forward, it will certainly be hard to deny him of being the first running back to win the MVP since Adrian Peterson accomplished the feat in 2012. Despite the individual accolades that are clearly on the table for Taylor, the MVP candidate shared how his ultimate goal for this season is to win the Super Bowl. Further relaying this message to Adams, Taylor went as far as to say that he would trade the possibility of breaking the NFL single-season touchdown record for a Super Bowl championship. “Only if the 31 (touchdown) record lets us win a Super Bowl,” said Taylor. “If you told me I’ll have that record but we won’t win a Super Bowl, then I don’t want that record.” Taylor and the Colts will look to continue their winning ways on Sunday when they take on the Pittsburgh Steelers. For more on the Indianapolis Colts and all things around the NFL, head to Newsweek Sports.
