Broncos Were 'Shocked' Free Agent Running Back Didn't Sign With Them

The Denver Broncos came out of the 2025 season with legitimate Super Bowl credibility. 

They went 14-3, reached the AFC Championship Game, and rebuilt the kind of roster depth that contenders need. One of their clear priorities heading into free agency was upgrading the backfield, as J.K. Dobbins suffered a Lisfranc injury in Week 10 last year, and the drop-off was stark. 

So Denver went hunting for a running back who could carry the load. They went after Breece Hall first, but the Jets placed the franchise tag on Hall in part to head off what was expected to be a competitive offer from Denver. 

Travis Etienne was next. The Broncos pursued the former Jaguar, believed they were in a strong position to land him, and apparently liked what they were hearing. 

Then the New Orleans Saints stepped in. Etienne signed a four-year, $48 million deal with New Orleans that included $24 million guaranteed at signing, which is good for fifth among all running back contracts by full guarantee.

The Athletic's Mike Sando reported that an NFL executive described the aftermath bluntly: "They were shocked." As in, Denver genuinely did not see it coming.

What the Saints Got & What It Cost Denver

Etienne finished 2025 with 1,107 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, adding 36 catches for 292 yards and six receiving scores. 

He's the dual-threat back that Sean Payton's offense is built around, and the fit in New Orleans makes obvious sense on paper, as Etienne is from Louisiana, he's returning home, and he's joining a team that at least has some playoff ambition. 

Travis Etienne Jr. said the Broncos and Chiefs were two teams showing interest in free agency, but once the Saints entered the picture, the decision became fairly simple.

(via Jeff Nowak) pic.twitter.com/Gz9Vx5keAx

— Football Forever (@fballforeverhq) March 13, 2026

For the Broncos, the sting is that Etienne would have been the ideal complement to RJ Harvey, giving them a proven veteran starter alongside their promising young back. 

Denver's offer reportedly almost certainly didn't include $24 million guaranteed at signing, and that's the gap that sent Etienne south. 

Where Denver Lands Now

The Broncos changed course quickly, re-signing Dobbins to a two-year, $16 million deal to reprise last year's tandem with Harvey. 

They also retained Jaleel McLaughlin and Tyler Badie. It's a functional backfield for a team that doesn't need to be running back-dependent, but it's the same fragile setup that failed them in the second half of 2025. 

POWERFUL: #Saints running back Travis Etienne overcame trauma while with the #Jaguars.

Etienne notably suffered an injury that sidelined him his entire rookie season, leading him to a “depressed state” mentally and physically.

Travis describes the injury as the “worst pain… pic.twitter.com/xge5Ph6Eex

— MLFootball (@MLFootball) April 14, 2026

Dobbins has appeared in a full season just once in his NFL career, and as Pro Football Network noted, Denver is now one injury away from the same crisis that undermined their playoff run. 

They may address this in the draft, and a complementary back in the middle rounds looks like a logical move for a team with few other pressing needs.  

Photo Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images