The Denver Broncos are banking on RJ Harvey to spark their rushing attack for the 2026 NFL season, and the young running back is aiming for nothing less than a Christian McCaffrey-level leap. With a defense that’s already lethal and able to win games on its own, Coach Sean Payton knows he needs his offensive weapons to step up big if the team is going to get closer to a Super Bowl berth. Harvey is ready to be that difference-maker, looking to emulate not just McCaffrey, but also Jahmyr Gibbs and Kenneth Walker.
Harvey’s Second-Year Surge Is Brewing
Last season, RJ Harvey became a dependable force in Coach Payton’s running game as 2025 rolled along. The rookie played in all 17 games, starting seven of them, which is a solid showing for a first-year player. He racked up a respectable 540 rushing yards on 146 carries, showing his ability to be a workhorse. But he wasn’t just a ground threat; Harvey also snagged seven rushing touchdowns and added another five receiving touchdowns, making him a versatile weapon for the Broncos offense. Now, he wants an even bigger role, aiming to prove to Coach Payton that he can not only play alongside JK Dobbins but also match his rushing output. He’s putting in the work, too. “Just watching more film, watching other guys around the league, watching their film. Watching a lot of film of Christian McCaffrey, Kenneth Walker, Jahmyr Gibbs, guys like that,” Harvey told Mason Denver of 104.3 The Fan. He’s trying to see what they do on film “to help better my game. In Year 2 in the system, I feel way more comfortable, and it’s only going to get better from where I left off at.” That’s the kind of confidence you love to hear.
The Rushing Numbers That Could Change Everything
The Broncos’ running game in 2025 wasn’t exactly setting the league on fire, with a total of 2,018 rushing yards that ranked 17th in the NFL. Their 4.4 yards per carry was a bit better, landing them at 13th in the league. These aren’t bad numbers, but they’re not Super Bowl contention numbers either. This is exactly where Harvey’s ambition comes in. If he can actually make that McCaffrey-like jump, the Broncos could see their total rushing yards climb to at least 2,200 for the 2026 season. Think about what that means! That kind of production would put them in the conversation with some of the league’s most astounding running offenses, like the Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens, Chicago Bears, and Washington Commanders. That’s a huge shift, taking pressure off the passing game and giving that lethal defense more breathing room.
Will Harvey deliver on his promise? That’s the million-dollar question heading into the season. The Broncos need that running game to click, and Harvey’s determination to study the best in the business is a massive sign of what could be coming. Keep your eyes peeled for this guy; he could be a breakout star the minute the season kicks off.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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