Broncos were 'shocked' they did not sign 1,107-yard running back in free agency

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (1) walks off the field after losing to the Bills during an NFL football AFC Wild Card playoff matchup, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. Bills lead 10-7 at the half over the Jaguars. The Bills defeated the Jaguars 27-24. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]

The Denver Broncos came into the 2026 NFL offseason with a big need on the offensive side of the ball for a playmaker to raise the ceiling of the offense.

That player could've come in the form of a tight end, running back, or wide receiver. While they wound up trading for Jaylen Waddle, there was another player they thought they were going to land.

According to Mike Sando of The Athletic, one NFL executive shared that the Broncos were "shocked" to miss out on top free agent running back Travis Etienne Jr., who wound up with the New Orleans Saints.

Broncos were 'shocked' to miss on Travis Etienne

"Another exec said the Broncos thought they were going to sign former Jaguars running back Travis Etienne, only to have the Saints land him instead," Sando writes. "'They were shocked,' this exec said."

Etienne was one of the top running backs available this offseason in free agency and would've been a nice upgrade to the RB room over J.K. Dobbins.

The former Jacksonville Jaguars running back didn't come to Denver, as he instead went to join Sean Payton's former team in the Saints on a big contract worth upwards of $50 million.

After missing on the Jaguars' star running back, who had 1,107 rushing yards last season to go with seven rushing touchdowns and a receiving line of 36-292-6, Etienne joined the Saints instead of the Broncos.

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Denver wasn't expecting such a move to happen, as they thought they were going to be the team to bring in Etienne this offseason.

If they had made that move, Dobbins likely wouldn't be back. This likely wouldn't have made an impact on Waddle's trade, but fielding an offense with Waddle, Etienne, and the rest of the core would've been very fun for the Broncos.

This offense is still an exciting one, but the running back room does still have some question marks. Can Dobbins stay healthy and be good, and what about RJ Harvey turning the corner in year two?

Etienne would've made those questions obsolete. Instead, the Jaguars running back went to the Saints, much to the surprise of the Broncos, as this NFL executive revealed the Broncos were "shocked" to miss out on Etienne this offseason.

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