Daniel Jones is all the talk in Indianapolis right now.
The quarterback position always comes with pressure, especially for a player trying to prove he can be the long-term answer for a franchise looking to take the next step.
But Jones won’t be doing it alone. The Colts have two players who could have just as much impact on whether this team reaches its goals: Jonathan Taylor and Sauce Gardner.
Taylor remains the heartbeat of Indianapolis’ offense. In a league that loves to go after the next big passing attack, having a true workhorse running back is still a valuable thing. Taylor gives the Colts a reliable option to lean on.
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When Taylor is healthy and rolling, the entire offense looks different. His ability to create explosive plays, handle a heavy workload and finish drives in the red zone gives Indianapolis an identity. It’s everything. That’s something every team needs, especially one trying to build around a new quarterback.
On the defensive side, Gardner brings a different kind of impact. After arriving in a blockbuster move that showed just how highly the Colts value him, the star cornerback is expected to become the foundation of the secondary.
Elite cornerbacks don’t always fill up the stat sheet, but their influence is obvious.
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Jones will be the player under the microscope. That’s a given. But Taylor and Gardner could determine how much success Indianapolis actually has in 2026. One controls the offense’s rhythm. The other controls matchups on defense.
Quarterbacks get the spotlight, but winning teams are usually built around the players who make everything easier. For the Colts, Taylor and Gardner are those players.
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