ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos made re-signing J.K. Dobbins a clear offseason priority, coach Sean Payton said, and the running back agreed to a two-year, $20 million extension as the team closed its offseason program. Dobbins said he met with Payton before free agency opened and that Payton “came and got me,” adding he plans to have his best season in 2026.
Dobbins’ standing in the offense was reflected in his production before a season-ending foot injury in Week 10. He ranked fifth in the NFL with 772 rushing yards on 153 carries at the time of the injury, and Denver averaged among the league’s best marks: ninth in rushing, tied for fifth in runs of 10 or more yards and fourth in average yards per carry over expected.
The Broncos saw a marked decline after the injury. In the seven games following Dobbins’ exit, the team dropped to 23rd, 24th and 31st in those respective categories. Despite playing in only 10 of Denver’s 17 games last season, Dobbins finished with 232 more rushing yards and seven more carries than any other Bronco, and his 5.0 yards per carry ranked seventh among running backs with at least 140 carries.
Dobbins pushed back on the injury narrative, saying “Everybody knows what would have happened if I don’t get injured” and that missing games without returning stronger would be a loss. He also told reporters he was “1000%” going to play in Super Bowl LX had Denver beaten New England in the AFC Championship Game.
Beyond on-field production, Payton cited Dobbins’ locker-room impact when explaining why he prioritized the running back. “He’s one of those compound multipliers,” Payton said, calling Dobbins a “tremendous teammate.” Dobbins called second-year back RJ Harvey and rookie Jonah Coleman “my guys,” and Coleman said Dobbins “has been great” and suggested the group could form a “three-headed monster.”
The 27-year-old has battled injuries since entering the NFL in 2020, including a torn ACL in the 2021 preseason and a torn Achilles in Week 1 of 2023, which have limited his season starts. The Broncos’ commitment signals they expect him to play a leading role moving forward.
