J.K. Dobbins believes his journey to Denver was a coincidence. The Broncos running back stated that he has felt a connection to the organization long before he ever put on the uniform, and after signing with Denver ahead of the 2025 season, he now believes everything happened for a reason.

"This organization is amazing," Dobbins said on July 31. "I was born to be a Bronco. I know I was drafted to the Ravens and played for the Chargers for one year, but I think I'm truly a Bronco. All roads led to here. I said last year, I had to get over the mountain to get here, and I'm here. I'm here to stay."

Growing up in Houston, Dobbins wanted to play for a local youth football team called the Broncos, but financial reasons kept him from joining while many of his friends and cousins did. When Denver signed him before the 2025 season, Dobbins said it immediately felt different.

"When I first got here, I just felt the love," Dobbins said, according to Aric DiLalla of the DenverBroncos.com on July 31. "Sean Payton is my favorite head coach I've ever played for. It just all feels like family here. They believed in me from the beginning."

Before a season-ending injury in Week 10, Dobbins helped the Broncos get off to an 8-2 start, rushing for 772 yards and four touchdowns while averaging 5.0 yards per carry.

His production through the first 10 games was the best by a Denver running back since Mike Anderson in 2005.

Payton believes Dobbins' impact often gets overlooked.

"He was a big part of why we won 14 games last year, and sometimes that can get lost in the narrative," Payton said, according to the team's website. "I believe in the player a lot."

While Dobbins feels he has found where he belongs, he is also determined to prove this season can be different.

Will 2026 finally be different for J.K. Dobbins?

After signing a two-year, $16 million contract to stay in Denver, the Broncos running back stated that he is ready to leave his injury history behind and show he can be available all season.

Despite missing the final seven regular-season games and the playoffs last year, Denver made bringing Dobbins back a priority.

"People got upset when I said my injuries were behind me last year, but that last one was just a fluke," Dobbins said on Friday, according to Chad Jensen of Denver Broncos on SI. "This year there won't be anything for people to say. I'm going to play all 17 games, give everything I have to this team, and I'll be there every single week. I'll even pinky promise all of you."

Dobbins also pointed out that each of his three major NFL injuries has happened to the same leg.

"I've had three major injuries, all on my left leg—the knee, the Achilles, and the foot," Dobbins added. "That's three. It's over. Whoever's got the voodoo doll for my left leg is done with it now."

With training camp underway, Dobbins is hoping 2026 becomes the season where he is remembered more for what he does on the field than for the setback that interrupted his career.

Do you think J.K. Dobbins can stay healthy for all 17 games this season? Let us know!

Read more on the Denver Broncos Community

Written by

Debanjali Rakshit

Edited by

Rudra Dubey