For Jonathan Taylor and the Indianapolis Colts, a split seemed only a matter of time. But then both sides got back together. How was that possible?

With this news, the Indianapolis Colts owned the headlines NFL-wide before Week 5. Unsurprisingly.

For observers and experts, the agreement with Jonathan Taylor came virtually out of nowhere. For weeks and months, pretty much everything had pointed to a parting of the ways.

The star running back had even asked for a trade and the franchise was at least apparently prepared to let him go.

On top of that, “Indy” placed the league-wide leader in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns for the 2021 season on the PUP list because of an ankle injury that hadn’t just flared up, condemning Taylor to watching for the first four weeks.

The table cloth seemed cut. But instead, a new three-year, $42 million contract has been in place for just over a week, tying the 24-year-old to the Colts through the 2026 season.

Colts: How did Taylor’s change of heart come about?

So was it all just a smear theatre for the public? To provide a bit of entertainment while in the background everything was already planned for a future together?

Not really. How Taylor and the Colts really got back together is revealed by “ESPN” in a remarkable report based on the statements of several sources from the team and the pro’s camp.

According to the report, four people on the franchise side played a special role in Taylor’s change of heart: general manager Chris Ballard, head coach Shane Steichen, new quarterback Anthony Richardson and running back Zack Moss.

Apparently, the trick of removing Taylor from circulation via the PUP list also helped. This would have given both sides time to figure out what to do next.

An important first step was then taken by Chris Ballard. The GM had previously had a verbal spat with Taylor’s advisor Malki Kawa. Via social media, both shared pleasantries for all to see.

Taylor and Colts: Ballard makes first move

But eventually Ballard had approached Kawa again to break the ice. In the process, he had been told several times beforehand that Taylor no longer wanted to play for the Colts. Ballard’s outstretched hand in the direction of the agent is said to have been the beginning of the change of heart.

However, it is also mentioned that Taylor was no longer really integrated into the team at that time. Rehab always took place before team training, during which he was no longer on the premises.

The meetings also took place without him, they say. However, this was supposedly agreed upon. Taylor also did not show up at the home games.

Taylor and the talks with Colts coach Steichen

Steichen, however, used the time when Taylor was on team property to have deeper conversations with his star. Those conversations are said to have been crucial to the 2020 draft’s second-round pick. Because both had noticed that they were on the same wavelength.

For instance, also regarding Richardson, who has amazed Taylor like Steichen. “I want to be there for A.R.. I want to be able to help him grow in the future. He’s the future of this organization,” the running back is quoted as saying.

And it wasn’t just the new signal caller, but now missing with injury for the time being, who impressed for the Colts. Taylor’s deputy Zack Moss delivered strong numbers: In his three appearances before the sensational signing, he produced 280 rushing yards for a touchdown and 42 receiving yards for a touchdown.

Taylor’s retention even seemed to inspire Moss, as he ran for 165 yards along with two scores in a 23-16 win over the Tennessee Titans. Those performances would have grown the team’s desire for a RB duo of Moss and Taylor.

Taylor won’t suit up without new contract

All that was missing was the final flourish. Before the Week 4 game against the Los Angeles Rams, Ballard reportedly approached the Taylor camp and said the Colts were open to a new contract. So negotiations were apparently going on diligently in the background while the ball carrier returned to practice on October 4.

The following day, Taylor tried to keep his cards close to his chest at a press conference. Asked about his future, he only replied: “At the moment, I’m here.” But just one day later, everything was in the bag.

The Colts are said to have stretched to reach an agreement before the game against the Titans. Taylor had made it clear that he would not play without a new contract.

His season debut, however, was still subdued: Six times he got the ball in his hands and ran for 18 yards, on one catch Taylor got 16 yards. But other numbers were more important these days.

To make the seemingly impossible possible after all. Whether the story really has a happy ending remains to be seen in the coming weeks, months and years.