The Denver Broncos were in the mix for star dual-threat RB Travis Etienne Jr. before he ultimately signed with the New Orleans Saints in free agency. It's been an intriguing offseason for the Broncos, especially after their narrow miss at the Super Bowl in 2025.
Coming off a stellar 14-3 season that saw them reach the AFC Championship against the New England Patriots, it seemed likely the Broncos would make a big splash in free agency to push them over the edge. However, with many top free agents already snapped up, the Broncos remain the only NFL team yet to sign an external free agent since the negotiation period began.
This is a bit concerning, considering how close they got to the big game. They've mostly focused on re-signing key players while watching others leave for lucrative deals.
The most significant departure is defensive tackle John Franklin-Myers, who joined the Tennessee Titans on a hefty three-year, $63 million contract. The Broncos weren't willing to meet his asking price.
On the flip side, they've retained linebackers Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad, along with running back J.K. Dobbins, all crucial to their 2025 success.
Re-signing Dobbins seemed like a strategic move, especially given the interest they had in Etienne. According to New Orleans Saints sideline reporter Jeff Nowak, Etienne was also on the radar of the Broncos and the Kansas City Chiefs. But once the Saints entered the picture, Etienne's decision was made.
Dobbins is a talented player and a key part of Denver's rush-heavy approach early last season. However, he lacks the dual-threat capability that Etienne brings to the table and hasn't completed a full NFL season yet.
Etienne, on the other hand, has surpassed the 1,000-yard mark in three out of four seasons, with two of those being 1,100-yard campaigns. His versatility is further highlighted by 168 receptions for 1,338 yards and seven touchdowns in 66 games.
Dobbins hasn't quite reached that milestone, although he was on track to do so before a season-ending foot injury in Week 10, and he had 905 yards in 13 games the previous year. The Broncos' decision to stick with Dobbins reflects their confidence in his potential, but missing out on Etienne might be a storyline to watch as the season unfolds.