The breakout star of the Broncos offense has a tasty nickname.
Offensive tackle Garrett Bolles called rookie running back Jonah Coleman a “meatball” following his breakout performance in a dramatic 28-24 victory Sunday over the Chiefs.
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“He just bounces off (defenders),” Bolles explained in the postgame locker room at Empower Field. “And does the things he wants to do.”
The Broncos (6-2) sit atop the AFC West thanks to significant contributions from their fourth-round draft pick. Coleman totaled 104 yards from scrimmage — 41 rushing and 63 receiving — with key contributions in crunch time.
“I’m prepared for whenever I get in the game,” Coleman said.
The Broncos’ ground production remains a work in progress. They totaled just 77 rushing yards and averaged just 3.3 yards per carry against Kansas City. The Broncos leaned on starter J.K. Dobbins for much of the first half with R.J. Harvey on injured reserve (knee). But Dobbins did not log any carries in the second half.
Coach Sean Payton instead called on his rookie in the pouring rain.
Coleman, in his second game back from IR (ankle), delivered a career-best NFL performance.
“He just made the plays that were there,” quarterback Bo Nix said. “He didn’t let the moment get too big.”
Denver Broncos guard Quinn Meinerz (77) and Denver Broncos running back Jonah Coleman (20) do the Mile High Salute after Coleman scored the winning touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Chiefs. The Broncos beat the Chiefs 28-24 at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026. (Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
The Broncos trailed 24-13 to begin the fourth quarter when Coleman started taking over.
Denver’s late comeback started with a nine-play, 80-yard drive that resulted in a receiving touchdown by tight end Nate Adkins receiving touchdown. It’s no coincidence that Coleman earned four touches during the series and rushed 10 yards on his first carry. The Broncos offense finally achieved balance after struggling for much of the afternoon.
Coleman looked sharp in his second game back from short-term injured reserve (ankle).
“Jonah made unbelievable plays in the fourth quarter. It was awesome,” offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey said. “We knew he had game as soon as he stepped foot in the building. He’s been running the ball well the entire time he’s been here. It was unfortunate that after the Jacksonville game he went down for IR. I think our team felt it, and now that he’s back, we’re feeling it on the other (side). … He’s been great for us.”
The Chiefs led 24-21 with 2:31 left in regulation when Coleman made key plays that propelled Denver to victory.
The Broncos faced first-and-10 from their own 44-yard line when Nix dropped back to pass. He rolled right, avoiding pressure, and hit Coleman on a short throw toward the near flat. Coleman took care of the rest. The 23-year-old running back exploded for a 51-yard gain — cutting inside and bursting untouched downfield — before finally getting tackled at the Kansas City 5-yard line. Coleman put the Broncos ahead for good on the next play with a rushing touchdown.
“Everyone was covering someone. No one had Jonah,” Payton said regarding Coleman’s long catch-and-run. “There’s nothing like a one-play, two-minute drive that takes you to the (red zone).”
Nix added: “It is always fun to throw it short, and they run for a long time. It was a really cool play. A really big explosive for us at the time. At that point, no matter what, you just want to score a touchdown. So, we were able to do that pretty quickly.”
The Broncos defense sealed the victory with a fourth-down red zone stop as time expired after Coleman took back the lead. He was quick to credit teammates for a breakout performance. Coleman said Denver was “embarrassed” by its Week 1 loss to the Chiefs in Kansas City and that “we definitely had a chip on our shoulder” in Sunday’s rematch.
“The more desperate team won,” Coleman said.
Coleman made his case to be the featured running back when the Broncos seek their fifth consecutive win next week in a road test against the Carolina Panthers.
“My job is to make plays and honestly hold everybody’s dream carrying the football,” Coleman said. “It’s protecting it. When the opportunity presented itself … the offensive line, they make me look good. I don’t make that big play if Bo doesn’t throw me the ball. It’s a team effort to drive one person’s success. But it definitely felt good to be out there.”