Seth McGowan tries to stake a claim for the Colts’ backup role behind Jonathan Taylor

Seth McGowan is attempting to carve out a role in the Indianapolis Colts backfield by pushing for the backup running back spot behind Jonathan Taylor. The challenge is immediate and familiar for a late-round pick, because the path to consistent touches is narrower when an established starter already defines the run game and the offense’s week-to-week identity.

McGowan arrived in Indianapolis as a seventh-round selection, a draft position that typically comes with low expectations and limited margin for error at the start. In practical terms, that usually means a rookie running back must win opportunities through daily execution rather than relying on a long runway of guarantees. The Colts’ situation makes that task even more specific, given that Taylor is the central figure of the backfield and the offensive plan is often built around how he produces.

At the same time, the Colts are not drafting only for the depth chart that exists on day one. The value of a late-round running back can show up quickly if the player’s style matches what a team needs for specific game scripts, such as physical runs between the tackles, short-yardage carries, or a different look when the starter needs a breather. McGowan’s push, as described in his camp framing, rests on the idea that even without a job waiting for him, a late pick can climb if his strengths translate to NFL gamestyle.

What makes this battle worth watching is not just the label of “backup,” but how the Colts manage backfield snaps and what they ask of the player behind Taylor. The backup role in most NFL offenses can become more defined by game plan than by raw opportunity, with coaches leaning on whoever can protect the offense’s pace, handle the play-calling responsibility at the position, and reliably execute the run fits the scheme calls for.

For McGowan, the opportunity is largely about demonstrating that he can be trusted in those high-leverage moments. The early narrative for seventh-round backs is often about whether they can do the fundamentals well enough to earn reps, then build from there into a package. In that sense, his case in camp is less about overturning the starter’s status and more about proving that the Colts have an option at running back who can keep the offense stable when the starter is not in.

The broader Colts picture is that the run game already has a clear centerpiece in Taylor. That does not eliminate McGowan’s relevance, but it changes what “success” looks like for him. He does not need to look like the starter. He needs to look like the best available choice for the backup job, particularly when the offense is searching for efficiency rather than experimentation.

As training camp progresses, the next steps to monitor are how McGowan is used in practice and how frequently coaches keep him involved with the unit representing the backup responsibilities. If he earns that trust early, the Colts will have more flexibility to rotate without losing the run game’s identity. If he does not, the backup job will likely solidify around a more proven option.