The Denver Broncos got a huge performance from Jonah Coleman in their Week 8 win over the Kansas City Chiefs, but the urgency to make a big running back trade has only increased after the game.
The Broncos have to find a way to avoid repeating last year's history, with their running back depth being significantly tested, and now is their chance to do so. It's also become abundantly clear that the team doesn't trust JK Dobbins, and two other backs are on injured reserve.
It would be shocking if GM George Paton and head coach Sean Payton didn't do something, especially after the team won on Sunday, taking over 1st place in the division. They need to strike while the iron is hot.
Broncos need to ramp up the intensity and get a running back trade done ASAP
The Broncos' win over the Kansas City Chiefs proved that this team has an absolute gem in Jonah Coleman, an ascending young player who can absolutely be a threat for this team on all three downs.
But it's time to slow our roll just a little bit.
Coleman is still a young player in this league, and asking a rookie to be the only running back on a team with Super Bowl aspirations is roster malpractice. Coleman can be a huge asset to the offense, while also acknowledging that other things are also true.
Let's star with this uncomfortable reality: The team doesn't trust JK Dobbins anymore.
The Broncos clearly do not trust JK Dobbins anymore
J.K. Dobbins played one (1) snap in the 2nd half.
— Hayden Winks (@HaydenWinks) November 2, 2026
The fact that JK Dobbins played just one snap the entire second half of the win against the Chiefs indicates that this team doesn't trust him in high-leverage situations right now. Jonah Coleman has completely overtaken that role for the Broncos, and it was apparent that Dobbins was upset about it as of Week 7 against the Arizona Cardinals.
He told the media after the win against Arizona that he was "unavailable" for any interviews. Then, in the days leading up to the team's win over the Kansas City Chiefs, Dobbins stated that he wasn't mad about his role as long as the team was winning.
“If we’re losing and I’m not getting the carries, s***, I’m going to be mad as f***… I just want to win."
- JK Dobbins (via DNVR on Twitter/X)
Is it normal for someone who just wants to win to decline interviews with the media after winning a game by 14 points? And scoring a touchdown in that game?
Dobbins is clearly not happy with his role in Denver, and he's starting to get extremely defensive about criticism over his play. It would be a different story if he was ripping off even 4 yards per carry at this point, but he's not. He's not adding any value to this team right now, and the Broncos can't rely on him for a championship run.
RJ Harvey's mysterious injury adds another wrinkle
One of the main reasons Jonah Coleman was so heavily featured against the Chiefs, especially in the passing game, was the absence of second-year player RJ Harvey. Harvey was ruled out for the game against the Chiefs with a knee injury that popped up during the week of practice, and was placed on IR on Saturday.
Given the substantial role Harvey had in the offense as a pass catcher, the Broncos once again can't really excuse a lack of aggressiveness in making a trade. Harvey's role is significant, and he's now going to miss at least three more games and won't be available until December.
And even when he does come back, how much will an in-season knee injury affect his game?
Harvey is not the only Broncos running back on IR either. Tyler Badie, who has done well with his limited opportunities this season, has also been on IR with a thumb injury.
Keep riding Jonah Coleman, but don't overwhelm him with pressure
There is a tendency in Broncos Country to romanticize. There is nothing wrong with believing that Jonah Coleman can be this team's RB1, but the Broncos' depth at the position has been significantly tested over the past couple of seasons, and you can't put all your eggs in one basket during a Super Bowl run like that.
We saw the effects of doing that just last season.
The Broncos cannot put the weight of the world on Jonah Coleman's shoulders. They need to give him help. Has everyone quickly forgotten that Coleman just came off his own IR stint a couple of weeks ago?
The Broncos making a big trade for a running back at the deadline -- whether it's Jonathan Taylor, Breece Hall, Tony Pollard, or someone else -- is a move showing that they are putting their foot on the gas in pursuit of another trip to SoFi Stadium in February.
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