Report: Denver Broncos signing JK Dobbins to one-year, $5.25M deal

NFL veteran running back JK Dobbins will be playing for the Denver Broncos this fall. According to Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, the Broncos are signing Dobbins to a one-year, $5.25 million contract.

JK Dobbins reportedly traveled to Denver for a visit with the Broncos last week. He had dinner with the coaches on Wednesday before touring the team’s facility on Thursday. Dobbins will join a Broncos backfield that includes rookie RJ Harvey and Audric Estime.

Dobbins, a former Ohio State running back, began his NFL career in 2020 when the Baltimore Ravens selected him in the second round of the draft. He made an impact his rookie season, rushing for 805 yards and nine touchdowns in 15 regular season games.

JK Dobbins finished second in Comeback Player of the voting in 2024

After the 2020 season, Dobbins struggled to stay healthy. He missed the entire 2021 season after tearing his ACL in the final preseason game. He returned in 2022 but suffered another knee injury in Week 6 and ended up playing in just eight games. In 2023, Dobbins tore his Achilles tendon after Week 1 and missed the rest of the season.

Last year, Dobbins signed a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Chargers. He played in 13 regular season games and rushed for 905 yards and nine touchdowns. His production led to him finishing second in Comeback Player of the Year voting.

In April, the Chargers used their option to apply an unrestricted free-agent tender on Dobbins. That meant that the team would have exclusive negotiating rights with Dobbins if he didn’t sign with the team at the start of training camp.

“I do think if I get the volume, I’ll be one of the best in the league,” Dobbins told reporters before the start of the 2024 season. “I’ve shown that.” Dobbins also talked about being the healthiest he’s been since leaving Ohio State.

“I feel like I’m in college out there right now,” he said. “And I do think that the storm is over. Now I’m on a new journey, a healthy journey this year. You guys will see — it’ll be special.”