Mar 9, 2026, 09:13 PM ETOpen Extended Reactions
The Denver Broncos are re-signing running back J.K. Dobbins on a two-year, $20 million deal that includes $8 million fully guaranteed at signing, NFL Network reported Monday, citing a source.
Dobbins appeared to confirm his return himself in a social media post.
Dobbins' value and the quandary of his free agency were both on display for the Broncos during the 2025 season. A late addition to the roster — he signed during minicamp last June — Dobbins, 27, led the Broncos in carries (153), rushing yards (772) and runs of at least 10 yards (21).
But he also didn't play after Nov. 6 due to a foot injury he suffered in a Thursday night win over the Las Vegas Raiders on what Dobbins maintained was an unpunished hip-drop tackle.
It marked the fourth of Dobbins' six years in the NFL he did not play more than 10 games — he missed the 2021 season due to a torn ACL and played just one game in 2023 after tearing his Achilles.
Dobbins, who had returned to practice during the Broncos' playoff run, said he was "very, very close'' to playing in the AFC Championship Game and "100% would have played'' in the Super Bowl if the Broncos had advanced.
Broncos coach Sean Payton said Dobbins' injury was a significant reason Denver struggled at times down the stretch to find some consistency in the run game. Dobbins' impact was on display in the games he did play. His explosive run total was seven more than the Broncos' next back — rookie RJ Harvey finished the season with 14 runs of at least 10 yards.
Dobbins' 772 rushing yards in 2025 to go with 905 yards rushing for the Los Angeles Chargers in 2024 were the most in back-to-back seasons in his career, as were the 13 combined rushing touchdowns over the past two seasons.
ESPN's Jeff Legwold contributed to this report.
