{"id":119832,"date":"2025-06-10T22:53:12","date_gmt":"2025-06-10T22:53:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/119832\/"},"modified":"2025-06-10T22:53:12","modified_gmt":"2025-06-10T22:53:12","slug":"sean-payton-leaves-running-back-room-wide-open-too-early","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/119832\/","title":{"rendered":"Sean Payton leaves running back room wide open: “too early”"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Denver Broncos added some serious firepower on Tuesday by signing running back J.K. Dobbins<\/a>, but head coach Sean Payton wants everyone to pump the brakes on roles for the room.<\/p>\n

Payton spoke after mandatory mini-camp, just minutes after the news of Dobbins\u2019 signing broke. He couldn\u2019t quite talk about the veteran addition just yet, but he talked around it by sharing that he didn\u2019t yet have the design for how the group of players would be utilized. Instead, the veteran coach wants to see jobs earned and won.<\/p>\n

Dobbins, while a good player coming off a strong season for the Chargers, has dealt with a lot of injuries. At the same time, the Broncos have a ton of unknowns and young players in their backfield. The fact that Dobbins had more rushing touchdowns last year for Los Angeles than the Broncos got from their entire group of running backs will obviously lead to some saying it\u2019s his job to lose. Payton says hold on.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, don\u2019t start counting. I\u2019ve heard you guys counting, and it\u2019s like, don\u2019t count, because half of you\u2019ll be wrong,\u201d the coach said<\/a>. \u201cJust let\u2019s see what they do. I\u2019m looking forward to seeing how they play, and they\u2019re going to get opportunities. I said it earlier, much earlier. Look, Audric is going to get opportunities. Alright, we\u2019ve seen Jaleel, but don\u2019t try to figure out the club right now. Way too early. You can go ahead and try.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dobbins is projected by many to split touches with rookie second-round pick RJ Harvey from UCF. Beyond that, there\u2019s a group of Broncos led by multi-year third-stringer Jaleel McLaughlin. He has rushed for over 900 yards in his career, but beyond him, there are a bunch of unproven guys with potential. Payton pointed out 2024 NFL Draft fifth-round pick Audric Estime, but there\u2019s also Tyler Badie and Blake Watson, who have gotten game action with the team.<\/p>\n

Even with great rushers like Reggie Bush and Alvin Kamara, Payton has always spread the touches around his backfield. So he\u2019s probably right in saying, hold on, let\u2019s see how he tabulates which role each man will play.<\/p>\n

Follow @Shapalicious<\/a><\/p>\n

\t
\n<\/a><\/p>\n