It appears the Denver Broncos are going to split carries between Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams in 2022. This is the best thing for the team’s run game, now and for the future.
Some expected second-year running back Javonte Williams to be the workhorse for the Denver Broncos in 2022. It made sense as Gordon was just sitting there in free agency, waiting for somebody to call his number.
Since then, the Broncos happened to re-sign Gordon to a one-year deal. Now it appears the team will utilize both players the same way they did last year with the previous coaching staff.
The Broncos seem committed to using an RB by committee approach with Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams. pic.twitter.com/2SfEr8LQGi
— theScore (@theScore) August 9, 2022
While this is not the NFL we once knew—the NFL that saw running backs consistently run the ball 25 times a game—we still have to be mindful of the longevity of a running back’s career. Running Javonte Williams into the ground would be poor management.
I would still like to see Williams have a tremendous second season in the league, and he still might, but it would be least effective if he was the only one getting significant touches at running back.
At the end of the day, Gordon and Williams are two different types of backs, and bringing them in during certain situations makes a lot of sense. The Broncos are in win-now mode with Russell Wilson, so overworking one of the running backs the entire year doesn’t make sense.
Balance will be key in the run game as long as the team’s window is open.
Eventually, Willians could be the workhorse as Gordon nears the end of his career. That’ll be up to the coaches though. When will he be ready to take on a much bigger workload? Will he prove himself this season, making Gordon expendable? Will it take a couple of years?
What will happen if Williams doesn’t, in fact, show he can lead the running back position for years to come?
Broncos showing confidence in current wide receiver group
The Denver Broncos don’t appear to be adding a free high profile wide receiver in free agency or through a trade, and that’s not such a bad thing.
Those questions will be answered in a few years’ time. For now, we’ll get to see the Gordon-Williams duo once again.