Tyler Badie in Mix for the Denver Broncos RB Room

In the Denver Broncos’ quest to revitalize their rushing attack and solidify depth for a late-season playoff push, a familiar face has emerged as an unexpected contributor: running back Tyler Badie. After spending most of the 2024 season on the practice squad, Badie has worked his way into the Broncos’ running back rotation in recent weeks, leveraging his speed, receiving ability, and special teams value to earn trust from head coach Sean Payton and the offensive staff. The Broncos’ rushing attack has struggled for consistency (ranking 22nd in the NFL with 98.3 yards per game), and with starter Javonte Williams dealing with minor knee soreness, Badie’s emergence provides a much-needed spark. Tyler Badie in Mix for the Denver Broncos RB Room examines his journey from practice squad to game-day active, his unique skill set, and how he fits into the Broncos’ plans for the stretch run.

Tyler Badie in Mix for the Denver Broncos RB Room begins with Badie’s path to the Broncos and his early-season role. A sixth-round pick by the Baltimore Ravens in 2022, Badie spent his rookie year on injured reserve before bouncing between practice squads for the Ravens and Chicago Bears. The Broncos signed him to their practice squad in September 2024, initially viewing him as a developmental project and special teams depth. Through the first eight weeks, Badie rarely saw game action—logging just 12 special teams snaps and no offensive touches. But his work ethic in practice caught Payton’s attention: he consistently won one-on-one drills against linebackers in pass protection, made highlight-reel catches out of the backfield, and showed reliability in blitz pickup—an area where the Broncos’ younger running backs had struggled. “Tyler is one of those guys who doesn’t let practice reps go to waste,” Broncos running backs coach Curtis Modkins said. “Even when he wasn’t active on Sundays, he was the first one in the film room and the last one to leave practice. That kind of dedication pays off.” Badie’s breakthrough came in Week 9, when he was elevated to the active roster for the Broncos’ game against the Las Vegas Raiders—his first NFL action in over a year.

Another key angle in Tyler Badie in Mix for the Denver Broncos RB Room is Badie’s performance in recent games that solidified his spot in the rotation. In Week 9 against the Raiders, Badie got his first offensive touches: 5 carries for 23 yards (a 4.6-yard average) and 2 receptions for 18 yards, including a crucial 10-yard catch on third-and-7 that extended a fourth-quarter drive. He followed that up with an even stronger showing in Week 10 against the Cleveland Browns: 7 carries for 31 yards (4.4 yards per carry) and 3 receptions for 25 yards, plus a tackle on special teams. What stood out most was Badie’s ability to create yards after contact—he broke 4 tackles in those two games—and his chemistry with quarterback Russell Wilson in the passing game. “Tyler has a knack for finding open spaces in the flat and turning short passes into longer gains,” Wilson said after the Browns win. “He’s also a smart runner—he doesn’t force plays; he follows his blockers and hits the hole quickly. That’s exactly what we need in our run game.” Badie’s performance wasn’t just statistical: he also showed poise in high-pressure situations, including a two-minute drill against the Browns where he picked up 8 yards on a critical third-and-5 to keep the drive alive.

A critical aspect of Tyler Badie in Mix for the Denver Broncos RB Room is how Badie’s skill set complements the Broncos’ existing running backs. The Broncos’ current rotation features Javonte Williams (a power runner with 3.8 yards per carry) and Samaje Perine (a bruising back with strong pass-blocking skills), but neither offers the speed and receiving versatility that Badie brings. At 5-foot-8 and 197 pounds, Badie is a change-of-pace back: he clocked a 4.43 40-yard dash at his 2022 pro day, making him the fastest running back on the Broncos’ roster. His receiving ability (he caught 74 passes for 600 yards in his final season at the University of Missouri) also fills a gap: the Broncos’ running backs have combined for just 32 receptions this season, ranking 26th in the NFL. For the Denver Broncos, Badie’s presence allows Payton to run more “11 personnel” (three wide receivers, one tight end, one running back) packages, with Badie lining up as a slot receiver or in the backfield to create mismatches against slower linebackers. “Tyler gives us flexibility we didn’t have before,” Payton said. “We can use him as a runner, a receiver, or even a returner—he’s a Swiss Army knife. That makes it harder for defenses to game-plan against us because they don’t know where he’ll line up.”

Another important element of Tyler Badie in Mix for the Denver Broncos RB Room is Badie’s value on special teams—a key factor in his game-day active status. The Broncos have struggled with special teams consistency this season (ranking 28th in punt return average and 25th in kickoff coverage), and Badie has quickly become a standout in that phase. In Week 10, he recorded two special teams tackles, including a stop on a Raiders punt return that prevented a long gain, and he has been working with special teams coordinator Mike Mallory on punt return duties—an area where the Broncos need improvement. “Special teams is how I got my foot in the door, and I’m not taking that for granted,” Badie said. “I’ll do whatever the team needs—tackle, block, return kicks—just to stay on the field. That’s always been my mindset.” For the Denver Broncos, special teams production is often the difference between active and inactive players, and Badie’s ability to contribute in both offense and special teams makes him a valuable asset. “When you have a player who can help you on two phases of the game, that’s a win,” Mallory said. “Tyler is reliable on special teams—he knows his assignments, he’s physical, and he makes plays. That’s why he’s been active the last two weeks.”

Wrapping up Tyler Badie in Mix for the Denver Broncos RB Room is Badie’s outlook for the rest of the season and his impact on the Broncos’ playoff hopes. With Williams dealing with knee soreness (he’s listed as questionable for Week 11), Badie is expected to see increased snaps in the Broncos’ upcoming game against the Kansas City Chiefs—a matchup where the Broncos need a dynamic rushing attack to keep up with Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs’ offense. Even when Williams returns, Badie is likely to retain a role in the rotation, especially in passing situations and on special teams. The Broncos sit at 4-5 heading into Week 11, just one game behind the Raiders for the final AFC wild-card spot, and Badie’s emergence could be a key factor in their playoff push. “Tyler’s not here to be a backup—he’s here to contribute,” Modkins said. “He’s earned every snap he’s gotten, and I expect him to keep getting better. For us to make the playoffs, we need guys like Tyler to step up, and so far, he’s done that.” For Badie, the opportunity to play for the Broncos is a dream come true, and he’s determined to make the most of it. “I’ve waited a long time for this chance,” Badie said. “Every time I step on the field, I’m playing like it’s my last game. That’s the mindset you need in this league.” For the Denver Broncos, Tyler Badie isn’t just a depth piece—he’s a spark that could help turn their season around.