Sean Payton's history reveals that the Denver Broncos' run game shouldn't falter one bit despite glaring issue
You can look at the offseason the Denver Broncos have had and just tell that they will be better than they were last season. And, they were good in 2024, but 2025 feels like a season where they can make an even bigger jump. Some of the signings they have made have set them up […]
You can look at the offseason the Denver Broncos have had and just tell that they will be better than they were last season. And, they were good in 2024, but 2025 feels like a season where they can make an even bigger jump.
Some of the signings they have made have set them up to compete for the title of best defense in the NFL. All of that is nice and much needed. But the biggest area of improvement may end up being how good the offense is. The offense was decent last year, but it was one-dimensional.
It can't get much worse than the Broncos run game last year, specifically what they got out of their running back room. Well, it can, their AFC West divisional rival Las Vegas Raiders were even worse, but that's a different story for a different day. The Broncos run game is set to be much improved regardless.
Or is it? They didn't have a single 100-yard rusher last year, not even Bo Nix, who used his legs a ton. But still, their RB room this year is set to be RJ Harvey and Audric Estime as the two featured backs. Combined, that's 310 rushing yards in the NFL that the Broncos are relying on for their run game in 2025.
Is that something we should be worried about? Not with Sean Payton.
Justin Churchill, A to Z Sports Denver
Broncos HC Sean Payton has experience in this situation
Sean Payton’s time with the New Orleans Saints was, deservedly, headlined by the legendary Drew Brees. While the passing offense was consistently prolific, the running game was often what set all of that up for Payton’s scheme. Play-action rates were sky-high during Payton’s tenure as the Saints' head coach, and the production from his running backs only made that piece of the offense more effective.
When it comes to duos in the backfield, Payton did not shy away from that either. He poured draft capital into the position, including a top-five overall pick. Payton drafted three running backs in the top seventy selections with New Orleans (Reggie Bush, Mark Ingram, and Alvin Kamara).
The latter two created one of the most balanced rushing attacks of the past two decades in the NFL. Ingram provided power, while Kamara gave the offensive explosiveness and elusiveness on the ground. Not to mention, Darren Sproles and Pierre Thomas created a dynamic duo earlier in Payton’s time with the Saints.
Their unique combo helped the Saints win their franchise’s first Super Bowl. Overall, the addition of rookie RB R.J. Harvey to the Broncos' depth chart can boost their running game alongside Audric Estime/another veteran option, as well as take some pressure off QB Bo Nix.
Adam Holt, A to Z Sports New Orleans
Denver Broncos rookie RJ Harvey is already showing how he can prove one huge narrative wrong
He can be a very good addition to an offense that desperately needs it.
