The Denver Broncos recently made the decision not to offer a contract tender to restricted free agent running back Jaleel McLaughlin. This now makes him an unrestricted free agent.
But there is a chance that this is nothing but a numbers game. Offering him a restricted free-agent contract tender would have cost the team $3.55 million. There is a great chance that he can be signed by any other team, for much less than that. Though McLaughlin will have the ability to sign wherever he wants now, his preference would likely be to stay with the Broncos so long as there is mutual interest.
Many Broncos fans want to see the team completely reset the running back room in 2026, save for RJ Harvey, but it appears that the team plans to bring back exclusive rights free agent Tyler Badie next season. He won't be guaranteed a roster spot, but he will be on the team to begin training camp.
Source confirms #Broncos will not tender RB Jaleel McLaughlin at $3.55M (@JFowlerESPN). But Broncos do hope to work out a deal to bring him back.
Think about it, J.K. Dobbins made $2.75m this past season so RFA tenders too high for most.
— MikeKlis9NEWS (@mikeklis9news) February 27, 2026
It was Badie who was favored over McLaughlin as the team's RB3 in 2025 due to his ability in pass protection and his work on special teams. Still, there is a place for McLaughlin on the roster.
Broncos should not give up on Jaleel McLaughlin
McLaughlin came to the Broncos as an undrafted player out of Youngstown State in 2023. It took about two preseason games for him to go from a long shot to make the roster to a player the team couldn't possibly cut.
Since then, he has done everything asked of him and performed quite well when his number has been called. He's rushed for 1,093 yards and three touchdowns while catching 59 passes for 263 yards and four more touchdowns in his career in limited action.
The Broncos can get him back for next to nothing and have a running back who is familiar with the system who can, at the very least, compete for a roster spot next season, even if it's in an RB4 role who is inactive on gamedays, much like he was this past season.
Teams need guys like this. Players that can be called upon in a pinch, who can pick up as if nothing has been lost.
MORE:ESPN prediction sends Broncos the top tight end in free agency
The Broncos should sign a big name at the running back position in free agency. They still have Harvey. They may even add another name in the draft. But so long as McLaughlin is still interested in playing for the team at a much lesser rate, he should be given that opportunity.
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