The Denver Broncos are gearing up for a pivotal 2026 offseason, with a surprising amount of cap space ready to make waves in free agency. After a season that ended just shy of Super Bowl LX due to a Bo Nix injury, the Broncos are poised to build on their first playoff victory since 2015, with a promising young core ready to shine.
Despite the setback with Nix, Denver's journey in 2025 exposed two critical areas needing improvement: penalties and short-yardage performance. The penalty issue was a significant hurdle, with the Broncos committing the ninth-most penalties, resulting in the highest penalty yards in the league. This is a coaching and discipline challenge that needs addressing.
On the personnel side, Denver's short-yardage struggles are a prime target for free agency. Finding a robust between-the-tackles runner should be a top priority when the market opens in March.
Throughout the season, the Broncos found it tough to establish a ground game in the trenches, a flaw often masked by their defense. These short-yardage struggles spilled over into the red zone, forcing Sean Payton to get creative with his play-calling. The Broncos converted just 56.5% of their red zone trips into touchdowns, ranking 12th-worst in the league, and their fourth down efficiency was only 50%, placing them 21st.
The situation worsened in the latter half of the season following J.K. Dobbins' injury.
While RJ Harvey stepped up admirably, his smaller frame struggled in heavy traffic. Harvey excels in open space but lacks the power for inside runs.
With Dobbins sidelined, Jaleel McLaughlin took on the change-of-pace role, but his size limited his effectiveness in short-yardage scenarios. The absence of a power back became glaringly evident, especially with a pivotal 4th-and-1 turnover in their AFC Championship Game loss, where Payton opted for a roll-out screen pass due to a lack of trust in the backfield.
As Dobbins, McLaughlin, and Tyler Badie enter free agency, Denver must consider bolstering their backfield. Even if Dobbins returns, Harvey is set to lead, but the Broncos need a power runner for critical moments.
The 2026 free agency class may not overflow with running back talent, but Denver doesn't need a superstar. They need a reliable inside runner for key situations, and AJ Dillon could be that answer.
Although Dillon's recent stint with the Eagles was challenging, he thrived in a complementary role with the Packers. Injuries have limited his playtime, but at 27, he still has potential.
Dillon's injury history might be concerning, but it also means his market value is lower, allowing Denver to potentially sign him on a team-friendly deal. Pairing Dillon's power with Harvey's agility could create a balanced backfield.
Dillon's strength and low center of gravity make him an ideal candidate to tackle Denver's short-yardage woes. During his peak seasons with the Packers, Dillon scored 12 touchdowns, showcasing his capability in crucial situations.
This offseason, Dillon might just be the key to solving Denver's short-yardage conundrum, offering a chance to reignite his career while providing the Broncos with the muscle they need in crunch time.