Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton during the NFL Combine.
The Tyler Allgeier Broncos idea picked up real traction on Feb. 25, after former Denver quarterback Ben DiNucci publicly backed the Broncos as a landing spot for the Falcons running back, specifically as a potential 1-2 punch with Broncos RB RJ Harvey.
DiNucci replied to a free-agency prompt that highlighted Allgeier’s expected price point, and he didn’t hedge. “Broncos,” DiNucci wrote, adding that a “1, 2 punch with him and Harvey would cause problems.”
Why today? With the NFL calendar turning toward the roster-building stretch (Combine week into free agency), Denver’s backfield plans are a live topic, and Allgeier is now being framed as a specific, premium addition tied to a reported contract ask.
Key Points
Ex-Broncos QB Ben DiNucci endorsed Denver as a fit for a free-agent RB addition.
The discussion centers on Tyler Allgeier and a projected deal “in the neighborhood of” 3 years, $22 million.
DiNucci explicitly mentioned a pairing with RJ Harvey, adding urgency to how Denver might build its 2026 RB room.
NFL Rumors: Tyler Allgeier Broncos buzz gets louder thanks to Ben DiNucci
The money is what makes this spicy.
The Athletic’s Josh Kendall reported that Allgeier will seek a contract around three years, $22 million this offseason, and that it’s likely more than Atlanta will want to pay with future budgeting in mind.
That’s not fringe-back pricing. At roughly $7.3 million per year, that’s the type of number that signals a player (and agent) expecting more than just “change-of-pace” usage.
A quick reality check on Denver’s decision tree
If Denver is paying starter-level money, it usually means starter-level touches are on the table.
If the Broncos view RJ Harvey as a true three-down option, then adding Allgeier at that price implies either (a) a deliberate committee, or (b) uncertainty about workload durability across a full season. Denver hasn’t publicly acknowledged the direction its leaning
How a Tyler Allgeier-RJ Harvey pairing could look in Sean Payton’s offense
DiNucci’s “1-2 punch” line matters because it points to role clarity: Denver wouldn’t be chasing Allgeier to sit.
A logical split could look like this:
Allgeier: early-down hammer, four-minute offense, interior runs, closer when protecting leads.
Harvey: space touches, screens/choice routes, outside concepts, tempo packages.
What it changes on Sundays
It can keep both backs fresher late-season.
It can change Denver’s play-calling menu near the goal line and on second-and-medium, where Payton historically likes to stay out of obvious pass downs.
Any stronger running back pairing could make life easier for Broncos QB Bo Nix, as he comes back from an ankle injury that ended his season in the playoffs.
The contract mechanics Denver would have to navigate
Allgeier at 3/$22M likely requires real structure decisions: signing bonus, Year 1 cap hit, and guarantees.
What to look for if this becomes real
Guarantees: Is it effectively a 1-year deal with team outs, or a true multi-year commitment?
Year 1 cap number: Denver can lower it with bonus proration, but that pushes money into future seasons.
Roster fit domino: A meaningful Allgeier deal could squeeze the rest of the RB room depending on who is under contract and who can be stashed on the practice squad.
What Denver has signaled about the backfield lately
Denver has shown it will keep adding to the RB room when value appears. For example, the Broncos signed J.K. Dobbins in 2025, a move that was widely framed as depth/competition at the position.
And DiNucci isn’t just a random commentator; he has been part of the Broncos’ orbit, including a recent practice-squad stint noted by the team.
That context doesn’t make the Tyler Allgeier Broncos fit inevitable, but it explains why his endorsement traveled.