Broncos can scratch Breece Hall, move another running back to top of their list

Broncos can scratch Breece Hall, move another running back to top of their list originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Denver Broncos will entertain the idea of many different players during the free-agent signing period, which officially opens on March 11, but the main event of free agency for the team should be the running back position.

The Broncos have only four running backs under contract for the 2026 season. RJ Harvey will be back after a strong rookie season and Tyler Badie will get a shot to make the roster next year as well. Cody Schrader and Deuce Vaughn were signed to future deals after the season.

Obviously, the team is going to need more help. That could lead to a signing in free agency, a running back being selected in the draft, or both. There was some news on Tuesday regarding two of the top running backs on the market that will force the Broncos to shift their focus.

Breece Hall gets franchise tagged by Jets

The New York Jets will apply the franchise tag to Breece Hall while they work out a long-term extension with him. This is not unexpected, but it does take away the best possible signing that the Broncos could have made this offseason. He would be a perfect fit in Sean Payton's offense, but the team will have to look elsewhere.

Meanwhile, it was reported by Adam Schefter of ESPN that the Seattle Seahawks will not use the franchise tag on Super Bowl LX MVP Kenneth Walker. That is a tough loss for Seattle, but they weren't willing to pay what it would have cost to put that tag on him. Walker could still be back in Seattle, but the Super Bowl champs will have to win a bidding war for that to happen.

The Broncos should be squarely involved in that bidding war. Bringing Walker's running style into Payton's offense is exactly what the team needs. Imagine how much differently this past season would have ended if the team had an option like Walker on hand.

Pairing him with Harvey could create a dangerous combination, one that could rival the best in the league.

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The Broncos would have to pay up for Walker's services. Spotrac estimates his new deal to be worth $9 million per year, and it could easily be north of that. That said, with any chance of Hall coming to Denver now extinguished, the team should have Walker at the very top of its wish list.

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