Jonathan Taylor Sent a Classy Message About Missing the Colts’ Final Play

Nobody could blame Jonathan Taylor for being upset over the Indianapolis Colts’ Week 18 loss to the Houston Texans, which eliminated them from postseason contention.

Taylor, who left the game briefly with a heel injury before returning, was not on the field for the Colts’ final offensive play, a fourth-and-1 in the red zone with just over a minute left in the game, which resulted in a drop by Indianapolis halfback Tyler Goodson.

Taylor was asked after the game if he wanted to be on the field for the last play. The Colts running back answered in style, telling reporters that “no one second-guessed any of Shane’s calls,” according to Stephen Holder of ESPN on X, then known as Twitter.

“He’s been masterpiece perfect all year.” So, whatever the settings are, we’re confident in them. We’ve practiced and repped these plays 100 times at practice. We never call a play that we aren’t confident in. That would never happen,” Taylor went on to say.

Given Taylor’s performance (188 yards and a touchdown), it’s not unexpected that he had reservations about Steichen’s decision. Taylor had a contract holdout with the Colts until October, so there were plenty of reasons for him to second-guess his decision.

Taylor, whether consciously or unconsciously, embraced the team-first approach, protecting his coach.