Denver Broncos running back J.K. Dobbins has high expectations for himself in 2026 after re-signing with the team in free agency.
"What I'm going to show is that last year wasn't a fluke," Dobbins told The Denver Post's Luca Evans. "Instead of being No. 3 in the NFL, I'll be No. 1 this year. And there won't be any injuries."
He added, "Year 2 in the system, I feel way more comfortable. And it's only going to get better, from where I left off at."
Dobbins returned to Denver on a two-year, $16-million deal on the second day of free agency. His $8-million average annual salary in 2026 makes him the 18th highest-paid running back in the NFL.
The 27-year-old was on the verge of signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars, as he essentially had a deal "done" before having a change of heart and returning to the Broncos, a source told Evans.
Dobbins ranked fifth in the NFL in rushing through 10 games in 2025 before suffering a season-ending Lisfranc injury in early November. Despite missing seven contests, he still finished the year leading the Broncos with 772 rushing yards. His 5.05 yards per carry also placed seventh among all rushers in the league who had at least 100 carries, according to Sumer Sports.
The veteran will likely share backfield duties in a running back-by-committee approach in 2026. The Broncos drafted Jonah Coleman out of Washington in the fourth round in April and have RJ Harvey returning after he led Denver's running backs in total yards last campaign.
"We're excited about where it's going," head coach Sean Payton said of Denver's internal ground-game evaluation, per Evans. "And certainly, we understand how important it is, not only for the team but for our defensive success and time of possession, and all of those things that play a complementary role in playing good defense."
Dobbins has struggled to stay healthy during his NFL career, suiting up in just 47 games since being drafted in the second round in 2020 out of Ohio State.
Denver began its mandatory minicamp on Tuesday, which will run through June 18.
