Jun 7, 2026, 4:20 PM CUT
Broncos "Mr. Irrelevant" Receives Unexpected Wake-Up Call From J.K. Dobbins

Feb 25, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Buffalo linebacker Red Murdock (LB17) speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Feb 25, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Buffalo linebacker Red Murdock (LB17) speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
A rookie mistake during Broncos minicamp drew an immediate reaction from veteran running back J.K. Dobbins on Thursday.
According to 9News' Mike Klis, rookie linebacker Red Murdock accidentally knocked receiver Michael Bandy to the ground during a non-contact team drill. Dobbins, who was watching from across the field, quickly let the rookie know what he thought about it.
"When rookie linebacker Red Murdock inadvertently knocked smallish receiver Michael Bandy on his fanny during an 11-on-11, non-tackling, team drill Thursday, Dobbins could be heard from 25 yards away giving the new kid the business," Klis wrote.

Nov 6, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos running back J.K. Dobbins (27) after the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Nov 6, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos running back J.K. Dobbins (27) after the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
OTAs are strictly non-padded, non-contact sessions focused on learning. The main goal here is to protect teammates from injury.
Dobbins knows how fragile NFL careers are, missing most of his in injuries. Last year, Dobbins rushed for 772 yards, averaging 5.05 yards per carry before a Week 10 Lisfranc injury ruined his season.
Dobbins one of the more prominent pieces of Denver’s offense. He recently got a two-year, $16 million contract with $8 million fully guaranteed, as per Spotrac.
So when Murdock, one of the defensive rookies, knocked Bandy on his back, something that could've led to an injury, Dobbins set the record straight there and then.
The Broncos are highly motivated after their 14-3 season ended in a 10-7 AFC Championship loss to the Patriots. So they cannot afford unnecessary player injuries during summer workouts.
Broncos Rookie Learns the NFL Standard Quickly
Red Murdock was chosen as the 257th and final pick of the 2026 NFL Draft out of Buffalo, which is the reason behind the "Mr. Irrelevant" title. However, the meaning does not demean but is rather celebrated.
He actually broke NFL legend Khalil Mack's all-time FBS record by forcing 17 career fumbles while racking up 364 total tackles in four years with the Bulls.
Murdock only knows how to play at 100 mph, explaining that accidental hit. He is fighting a tough battle in a stacked linebacker room alongside Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad.
Murdock played in a total of 42 games, recording 364 tackles (168 solo) with 39.5 tackles for loss and nine sacks. He is also an all-time NCAA FBS record holder of 17 forced fumbles.
Head coach Sean Payton loves Dobbins' leadership, explicitly calling the running back a "compound multiplier," as per Yardbarker.
"There's so much that he brings… You usually hear him before you see him in there," Payton commented.
This unexpected interaction forces rookies to mature immediately to match Denver's strict championship standards.
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Written by
Nisarga Aseem Barkule
Edited by

Rudra Dubey