Running back J.K. Dobbins’ five-year NFL career has been riddled with injuries. He has appeared in just 37 games, starting 21, and missed the entire 2021 NFL season after tearing his ACL in the Baltimore Ravens’ final preseason game.
Dobbins is coming off the most productive year of his career with the Los Angeles Chargers. After hitting free agency this offseason, he signed with a three-time Super Bowl champion franchise.
Breaking Down J.K. Dobbins’ Contract With the Broncos
The Chargers had designated Dobbins as a compensatory free agent, meaning he ranked among the top 35% of NFL players in salary and playing time. Last year, he led Jim Harbaugh’s offense with 905 rushing yards and nine touchdowns, adding 32 catches for 153 yards.
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Dobbins has agreed to a one-year, $5.25 million deal with the Denver Broncos.
“J.K. Dobbins, the Comeback Player of the Year finalist, is signing with the #Broncos on a one-year, $5.25 million deal,” Pelissero wrote on X. “Still only 26, Dobbins had over 1,000 yards from scrimmage and 9 TDs in 13 games last season with the #Chargers.”
J.K. Dobbins, the Comeback Player of the Year finalist, is signing with the #Broncos on a one-year, $5.25 million deal, sources tell me and @RapSheet.
Still only 26, Dobbins had over 1,000 yards from scrimmage and 9 TDs in 13 games last season with the #Chargers. pic.twitter.com/N3aZ4RKa8D
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) June 10, 2025
Dobbins visited Denver last Thursday to have dinner with the coaches and tour the team facility. A week later, he decided to join the Broncos for the upcoming season.
A second-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Dobbins spent his first three seasons with the Ravens. He played in 15 games as a rookie, rushing for 805 yards and nine touchdowns while catching 18 passes for 120 yards.
But things went south fast. In 2021, Dobbins tore his ACL and missed the entire season. He wasn’t fully cleared to return until two weeks into the 2022 campaign. That year, another knee injury limited him to eight games. He still managed 520 rushing yards and two scores.
Then, in 2023, Dobbins tore his Achilles tendon in the season opener and didn’t return. His time in Baltimore was over.
He signed a one-year, low-cost deal with the Chargers last offseason and played in 14 games, including the playoffs.
Dobbins bounced back in 2024 but shared the backfield with Gus Edwards. Now, he’s looking for a fresh start and a bigger role in Denver. The Broncos went 10-7 last season and made their first playoff appearance since 2015, losing to the Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card round.
Denver’s offense ranked 16th in PFSN’s Offense+ metric, but head coach Sean Payton is aiming higher in 2025.
Dobbins brings more than just running skills. He’s also reliable in the passing game, catching 80.8% of his targets as a third-down back. His 905 rushing yards last season marked a career-high. He proved in 2024 that he still has something left, and he could be a valuable piece as Denver looks to contend in the AFC West.
His career earnings currently sit at $7,837,943. He earned $5,897,943 from his four-year rookie contract with the Ravens and $1,940,000 from his lone year with the Chargers in 2024.