Broncos still being connected to major free-agent running back

Travis Wakeman

Broncos still being connected to major free-agent running back image

When the Denver Broncos open the 2025 season, one of the biggest questions will be whether or not they have enough at the running back position. That is if they don't make alterations to the current depth chart. 

The team used its second-round pick on RJ Harvey out of UCF and he is expected to be an immediate impact kind of player. Behind him, the team has Jaleel McLaughlin, Audric Estime, Tyler Badie and Blake Watson. The depth is seen as shallow and that may be with good reason. 

That is why the team is continually connected to free-agent running back Nick Chubb. Ethan Woodie of NFL Trade Rumors is the most recent to make this connection, listing the Broncos among three teams he sees as the best landing spots for the veteran who is still looking for a job. 

Woodie sees Chubb being signed and taking over the RB2 role from Estime, who will be entering his second season. 

Chubb was once seen as one of the best running backs in the NFL, but injuries have taken a toll on him. A devastating knee injury in 2023 sidelined him for a good portion of last season as well as he rehabbed his knee back to full strength. 

He ended up playing in just eight games and rushing for only 332 yards in 2024, but the most alarming number was the 3.3 yards per carry he averaged, down from the 5.25 yards per carry he had averaged through his first six seasons in the league. That is a dramatic drop and likely the biggest reason that he remains unsigned

You'd have to imagine that someone will eventually give Chubb a chance, but it's questionable as to whether or not the Broncos would have any interest. The team could use a veteran option in the backfield, but guys like J.K. Dobbins, Jeff Wilson and Gus Edwards are still available and could make just as much sense for the team, if not more. 

It wouldn't hurt for the Broncos to bring Chubb in for a workout and see how he looks at this stage in the offseason, but the team signing him, despite many still predicting it, would be a tad surprising. 

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Travis Wakeman

Travis Wakeman has been covering the NFL since 2012 when he started with Bleacher Report. After reporting about the Broncos there until 2016, he joined the FanSided network as a site expert covering the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers while simultaneously covering the Broncos at Broncos Wire when that site launched. He then took over the Broncos site at FanSided in March 2020 and covered the team there until spring of 2024. A lifelong Broncos fan and fan of the game, Travis is filled with sometimes useless NFL knowledge, but it always serves him well in any trivia contest. You can follow him on Twitter/X @traviswakeman10.