The last time a running back in the National Football League won MVP was in 2012. In that season, Adrian Peterson rushed for 2,097 yards and 12 rushing touchdowns for the Minnesota Vikings. He also had 40 receptions for 217 yards and a receiving score. This totals 2,314 total yards and 13 touchdowns in his historic MVP winning season for a running back.

This season for the Indianapolis Colts, Jonathan Taylor already has 850 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns, to go with 26 receptions for 206 yards and 2 touchdowns. This is just about the halfway point of his season, and he already has more touchdowns than AP did, and has tallied 1,056 total yards. He isn’t technically on pace to pass the total yardage mark that was set in 2012 by Peterson, but he has had 3 rushing touchdowns in 3 games this season, and another where he had 3 total touchdowns, so should he not be more in the conversation?

The Colts sit 7-1 and have the best record in the NFL, and a lot of people are contributing it to Daniel Jones. Don’t get me wrong, Jones has been having a career season, as he did little to nothing in New York, but the conversation should pick up for Taylor to be a top contestant for MVP.

People can have arguments about how its a quarterback award, because it typically is. Just last season, Saquon Barkley had a 2,000 yard season and didn’t win it to Josh Allen, but at the same time, does Taylor have a better chance with what has happened with quarterbacks this season?

Injuries to Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow have likely put them out of the race. That leaves guys like Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes, who are always going to have their names in the race, and some guys under center who are playing incredible, like Drake Maye and Baker Mayfield, but love shouldn’t be lost for Taylor.

As Taylor sits 7th in the race for MVP as of right now, according to FOX Sports, we see that jump up if he continues his incredible season.