For much of last season, the Indianapolis Colts’ offense revolved around one constant. Getting the ball to Jonathan Taylor was an approach that yielded production, but also raised inevitable questions within the organisation.

Taylor led the NFL with 323 rushing attempts as he again established himself among the league’s elite running backs but, once QB Daniel Jones went down with an Achilles injury, it became increasingly obvious that the situation would end up asking one player to shoulder so much responsibility was unsustainable.

As training camp approaches, however, the Colts appear to have their answer. Running backs coach DeAndre Smith acknowledged this week that Indianapolis wants to find ways to preserve Taylor without diminishing his importance to the offense.

“We definitely need to find ways to take some of that workload off him,” Smith said. “If I can find another guy or two that can take some of those carries off, he’s just going to be that much better. It’s been a constant conversation. I’m aware of it. When he’s healthy, we’ve got a chance to win every game. So, that’s always the first thing I think about: making sure he’s available every week.”

Those comments arrived only days after another encouraging development for Indianapolis, as Jones confirmed he has been medically cleared for the start of training camp, removing one of the biggest uncertainties hanging over the Colts’ offseason.

“I’m doing everything,” Jones told reporters. “[I’m] cleared to do everything [and] I think it’s just about, at this point, sharpening that, getting more explosive, getting stronger, kind of improving what you can do. But I can do everything and feel really good doing it.”

Individually, neither development is especially surprising. Together, however, they offer a clearer indication of how Indianapolis hopes its offense will evolve in 2026 after the first, perhaps unexpected, green shoots appeared in 2025.

Last season’s collapse after an 8-2 start coincided with Jones’ season-ending injury in December. Without their starting quarterback, the Colts inevitably became even more dependent on Taylor as the focal point of the offense. While the All-Pro back continued to produce, opposing defenses increasingly concentrated on limiting the running game, and Indianapolis ultimately missed the postseason after losing its final five games.

A healthy Jones offers the possibility of restoring greater balance, as head coach Shane Steichen has consistently built offenses that marry an efficient passing game with a productive rushing attack, rather than allowing one element to carry the entire burden. If Jones returns to the form he displayed before his injury, Indianapolis should be better positioned to spread touches across the offense instead of asking Taylor to absorb another 300-plus carries.

That does not necessarily mean fewer opportunities when games matter most, but the Colts can focus on being more selective with when and how they use their franchise running back. Preserving Taylor through a longer season could prove every bit as valuable as maximising his touches on a weekly basis, particularly if younger backs emerge during training camp to handle rotational work. Those decisions will begin taking shape once camp opens later this month, but the early messaging from Indianapolis is already revealing.