Sean Payton Sends Message on Young Playmaker as Broncos Finalize Roster

The Denver Broncos finalized their 53-man roster, and indeed, 2024 fifth-round draft pick Audric Estime was among those who were let go. However, Broncos head coach Sean Payton offered a vote of confidence for Estime as he (potentially) moves on in his NFL journey.

The Broncos selected Estime with the No. 147 overall pick of the draft.

He finished second among the team’s returning backs in carries and yards last season, but the Broncos kept four backs this year, and Estime was not among them.

“Sometimes it’s a combination of things,” Payton told reporters on August 26 when asked what led to Estime’s release. “I had a long visit with him today, and his career is not by any chance over. And so, that’s really not uncommon for a fifth-round selection.”

Estime rushed for 310 yards and 2 touchdowns on 76 carries in 2024.

The Broncos’ decision to cut Estime one year after using a draft pick to bring him in may not be “uncommon,” but 9News’ Mike Klis termed it “unusual.”

Broncos RB Benefits From Audric Estime Cut

The Broncos kept newcomers J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey. Payton and the Broncos also parted with Estime in favor of incumbents Jaleel McLaughlin and Tyler Badie.

For Badie, in particular, the moment was significant.

“The #Broncos’ initial 53-man RBs at practice today. Jaleel McLaughlin, RJ Harvey, Tyler Badie, J.K. Dobbins,” The Denver Post’s Luca Evans posted on X on August 26. “First season-opening 53-man Badie has made since he was a 2022 sixth-rnd pick by Baltimore. Very cool moment for him after season-ending injury last yr.”

Badie showed his explosiveness for the Broncos last season, rushing for 86 yards on 11 attempts. But a back injury interrupted his emergence, and he landed on injured reserve until the Broncos’ playoff game against the Buffalo Bills.

Payton called the decision in the Broncos’ backfield “difficult,” noting that they cannot control the next two days as players go through the waiver process.

Payton and the Broncos are towards the back of the waiver order (20th), per Yahoo Sports.

Broncos Lose Super Bowl Champion in Backfield

While Estime could return as a member of the Broncos’ practice squad, Payton announced that Broncos fullback and 2022 Super Bowl champion Michael Burton is out for the season. Burton was entering his third season with the Broncos and 11th in the league.

“He had surgery on his hamstring, and that would be it right now,” Payton said. “He was put on IR … Not [designated to] return.”

The Broncos also waived veteran fullback Adam Prentice after recently bringing him in.

Payton and Prentice have a relationship that goes back to the New Orleans Saints, but the Broncos also have the versatile Nate Adkins on hand. He can play fullback as well as his natural tight end. That is, if the Broncos refrain from bringing Prentice back in some capacity.

Teams must wait until noon ET to sign players to the practice squad, so the Broncos will have to keep their fingers crossed on players, potentially like Estime and Prentice, until then.