Broncos RB Called Out for ‘Pouting’ Over Depth Chart

In the recent history of Denver Broncos running backs, the authority to speaking on what works and what doesn’t is a very small category that essentially includes one person right now — former Bronco Phillip Lindsay, who was the last Denver player to rush for over 1,000 yards in a single season in 2019.

That’s why it’s easy to pay attention when Lindsay turns his focus to the current group of Broncos running backs and sees something he doesn’t like.

Lindsay recently called out second year running back Audric Estime for “pouting” over being buried on the depth chart early in training camp behind rookie starter RJ Harvey and veteran J.K. Dobbins.

Lindsay went a step further, even, and implied that attitude issues have been an issue for Estime dating back to his rookie season.

“Show the coaching staff that you want this job,” Lindsay said. “Instead, with Audric Estime, it seems like he would walk to his rep or when he’s sitting there it’s like he’s not paying close enough attention or he’s going through the motions because he’s pouting … to the coaches it seems like you’re the same person as last year, and when things don’t go your way, you pout.”

How Broncos Coaches Probably View RB Competition

While Estime’s implied unprofessionalism is hard to comprehend, it’s even harder when we try to put ourselves in the shoes of the Broncos coaching staff.

With almost no production from their running backs in 2024, the Broncos still, somehow, managed to go 10-7 and make the playoffs for the first time in almost a decade.

There was no team more desperate than the Broncos to get their running game going last season and, at different points, turned to Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin and Estime to try and jump start things. Despite having an elite offensive line to run behind, none of those 3 separated themselves.

While Estime probably should have gotten a few more carries, the sample size is enough to see that he wasn’t the answer — 76 carries for 310 yards and 2 touchdowns while averaging a pretty average 4.1 yards per carry.

So, for the Broncos coaches, they saw what they needed to get a feel for Estime — it was good but not great and kind of what you’d expect from a fifth round pick (No. 147 overall) in the 2024 NFL draft.

Estime’s Attitude Could Lead to Release

NFL coaches don’t have much patience for third string running backs with bad attitudes — what they want from that position is a player with a good attitude who stays constantly ready for action.

The Broncos likely wouldn’t give a second thought to getting rid of Estime, who they probably view as essentially interchangeable with McLaughlin (113 carries, 496 yards, 4.4 yards per carry in 2024) at this point.

Denver has also taken pains to try and insure they won’t need either one of them in 2025 by drafting Harvey in the second round and signing Dobbins to a 1-year, $2.745 million contract on June 10.