If the Denver Broncos want to take a real step forward in 2026, it starts with getting aggressive in free agency - especially on offense. The defense has its needs, sure - inside linebacker depth, a run-stopper up front, and some help in the secondary wouldn’t hurt. But if Denver wants to unlock the full potential of Bo Nix and finally build an offense that can go toe-to-toe with the AFC’s elite, the biggest upgrades need to come on the other side of the ball.
Let’s start with the obvious: the Broncos don’t have a true WR1 on the roster right now. Until they find that guy - the kind of receiver who can consistently win against top corners and command extra attention - the passing game is going to feel capped. Nix has the tools, but without a go-to target, it’s hard for any young quarterback to fully develop.
But maybe even more pressing than wide receiver is what’s happening in the backfield. The Broncos need a reliable, every-down running back.
Not just someone who can break the occasional big run, but a back who can grind out tough yards, keep the offense on schedule, and take pressure off the quarterback. That’s something they were starting to get from J.K.
Dobbins early last season - for the first 10 weeks, he looked like he was finally putting it all together. But once again, injuries caught up with him, and the Broncos were left scrambling.
RJ Harvey stepped in and had his moments, especially around the goal line - 12 total touchdowns is nothing to scoff at. But the consistency just wasn’t there.
His 3.7 yards per carry and 14 games under 4.0 YPC tell the story. The Broncos need more than a home-run hitter in the backfield.
They need a foundation.
Enter Breece Hall.
If Hall actually hits free agency - and that’s still a big “if” - he should be at the top of Denver’s list. The projected contract floating around is four years, $41.56 million.
That’s just over $10 million a year, which would rank ninth among running backs in terms of annual value. For a player of Hall’s caliber, that’s a bargain.
At 25 years old, Hall is younger than some of the prospects coming out of college, and he’s already proven himself as a legitimate dual-threat weapon. Over four seasons with the Jets, he racked up over 5,000 scrimmage yards - 3,398 on the ground and 1,642 through the air. He’s hit at least 1,350 scrimmage yards in each of the last three years, and he’s done it behind an offensive line that, let’s be honest, hasn’t exactly been dominant.
Hall isn’t just productive - he’s efficient. His 83.5 PFF grade this past season ranked eighth among qualifying running backs, and his ability to contribute in the passing game makes him a perfect fit for a modern NFL offense. For the Broncos, he’d be a plug-and-play RB1 who instantly upgrades the ground game and gives Bo Nix a safety valve out of the backfield.
And let’s not overlook the strategic value here. A more efficient run game forces defenses to play more honestly.
That means fewer exotic coverages, more opportunities for play-action, and better looks downfield. It’s the kind of domino effect that can transform an entire offense.
The Jets reportedly want to keep Hall - and they should. There’s talk of a long-term extension, or possibly the franchise or transition tag if a deal can’t be reached.
But if he becomes available, Denver has the cap space and the need to make a move. This is the kind of signing that doesn’t just fill a hole - it elevates the entire unit.
With Bo Nix still on a rookie contract, the time to be aggressive is now. The Broncos can’t afford to wait and hope things click.
They need to go out and make it happen. Signing Breece Hall wouldn’t just be a splash - it would be a statement.
One that says Denver is done rebuilding and ready to compete.