Broncos’ Tyler Badie faces now-or-never camp

Broncos running back Tyler Badie has been around the team so long, his presence pre-dates that of head coach Sean Payton.

And yet it’s hard to ignore the notion that the Missouri product might have seen his best chances to find his footing as a vital part of the Denver backfield slip away over the last two seasons — one through no fault of his own, and the other through a frustrating season in which he had a chance to carve out a clear niche, but struggled.

The first opportunity — during the initial month of the 2024 season — vanished after he suffered a frightening back injury during a Week 4 win over the New York Jets in 2024, an injury so serious in the moment that he wasn’t able to make the team flight home after the game; he returned to Colorado separately. He wouldn’t return to the field for a snap when it counted until the playoff loss at Buffalo three-and-a-half months later.

Then came the second last year, when he stuck on the 53-player roster and found himself active in Week 1 for the first time — and with a clearly-delineated role, to boot. With J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey handling the role atop the depth chart, the Broncos prepared to plug Badie in as their third-down back, a role he earned with his pass-protection savvy as much as his skills as a ballcarrier and pass catcher.

Then, on the second time he was targeted last year in the regular-season opener, Badie dropped a pass. And from there, it never seemed like his season fully recovered.

By the campaign’s end, he had four drops, per SportRadar. With one drop every 5.75 catchable passes, he had the team’s worst drop rate among its 10 players with at least 10 catchable passes tossed in their direction. And with the team drafting Washington running back Jonah Coleman in the fourth round — a decision spurred in part by Coleman’s pass-protection ability — he could find himself watching as Coleman snatches his repetitions early, which would give the rookie a clear role even while Dobbins and Harvey are healthy.

But don’t be surprised if Badie remains with the Broncos this season.

THE POTENTIAL PATH FOR BADIE BACK TO A BRONCOS ROLE

If it involves starting the season on the 53-player roster, Badie will likely have to first beat out Jaleel McLaughlin for a spot. And while Badie played a larger role earlier last season because of his blocking ability which gave him snaps on third downs, McLaughlin’s career 4.8-yards-per-carry average — including 5.1 last season — and a success rate of 53.5 percent likely ensure that if the Broncos waive him, someone will claim him.

That threat doesn’t seem to exist to the same degree for Badie, especially given that he’s already passed through waivers three times to this point.

Thus, it would come as no surprise if Badie sticks on the practice squad, with any future chances coming from that are of the roster. That would allow the Broncos to have a reserve in the wings who they trust — while potentially giving Badie a path to one more chance to make an impression.

But in that case, Badie would have to choose to stick around. And with former Broncos offensive assistant coaches like Pete Carmichael and Declan Doyle settling in elsewhere, while ex-Broncos personnel executive David Shaw remains in a prominent passing-game role on Detroit’s staff, there are other coaches who know just how well Badie can fit in. In other words, Badie could have options.

Still, the Broncos would likely breathe easier at night if they could have an experienced back like Badie on the practice squad — especially if they can cut his drops back to a minimal rate.