The Denver Broncos concluded the 2025 NFL season with a difficult loss in the AFC Championship Game, prompting the team to seek improvements for 2026. With J.K. Dobbins sidelined by injuries throughout much of the year, the Broncos are considering adding running back Kenneth Walker to strengthen their offense under head coach Sean Payton.
Kenneth Walker’s Availability and Potential Impact on Denver’s Offense
Kenneth Walker, who earned Super Bowl MVP honors, will be a highly sought-after player on the free agent market this offseason. If the Seattle Seahawks cannot secure his contract, Walker could join the Broncos, filling a critical running back vacancy. Analyst Jacob Westendorf from PFSN highlights the Broncos’ need for a reliable back as they suffered from inconsistencies in their ground game last season.
The Denver Broncos’ run game was a mess a season ago, and that was entirely on display in their 10-7 loss in the AFC Championship Game to the New England Patriots,
Westendorf wrote.
While the Patriots could not get much going on offense, they had some semblance of a ground game. Denver could not move the ball at all as conditions worsened and could not muster a single scoring drive that would have propelled them into the Super Bowl.
Effects of Injuries on Denver’s Running Back Position
Last season, J.K. Dobbins struggled to stay healthy, missing nearly half the campaign due to a foot injury. This forced rookie RJ Harvey and Jaleel McLaughlin to share running duties, but the backfield still lacked consistency and threat. Walker’s addition would address that weakness and complement the Broncos’ offense, which was led by quarterback Bo Nix.
Dobbins missed significant time with an injury,
Westendorf said.
Harvey averaged less than four yards per carry. Walker would be an upgrade at both spots and would give Denver a more threatening backfield presence, complementing a fully recovered Bo Nix and a passing game that was the catalyst for their offense throughout a campaign that saw them finish with the one seed.
Bo Nix and the Promise of a Balanced Attack for Denver
Bo Nix proved his versatility during the 2025 season as a dual-threat quarterback, compiling 3,931 passing yards with 25 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, along with 356 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns. Adding Kenneth Walker, who rushed for 1,027 yards and five touchdowns while contributing 31 receptions for 282 yards, could give the Broncos a more balanced offense heading into 2026.
Seattle Seahawks’ Plans Could Influence Denver’s Opportunity
While Kenneth Walker will be a high priority for Seattle to re-sign given his key contributions, the possibility remains open that they may not retain him. Should this occur, a competitive bidding situation could arise, with Denver looking to capitalize on the opportunity to significantly strengthen their backfield.
