Samaje Perine chose the Broncos over the Bengals in free agency, and he explained the decision to The Denver Post.
Perine is intrigued by head coach Sean Payton's use of two running backs in his system.
“What it came down to, really, was how upfront Denver was with me as far as playing time and what Coach Payton wants to do with me, personally, and what he wants to do as an offense,” Perine told The Denver Post. “The first time I talked with Coach Payton when everything opened up — (on Wednesday), that first day — the thing he really emphasized was his history of using multiple backs, using two backs in his time with the Saints and going through the history of the backs he’s had. That made my decision a tad bit easier.”
Payton used a split backfield most of the time in New Orleans and Perine figures into that next running back brigade in Denver. Perine is fresh off a career-high in snaps (41% of offensive snaps).
He should be a nice receiving weapon after posting 38 catches for 287 yards and 6 touchdowns with Cincinnati last season.
“It was a tough decision because obviously I loved my time in Cincinnati and I’m very appreciative and I love everything they’re trying to do over there,” Perine said. “Coach (Zac) Taylor and his supporting staff is great and it was hard to leave them and a well-established organization.”
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