The hope was still there for Audric Estime a few weeks ago. The confidence, too. Still the youngest back in Denver’s room, and the youngest player on Denver’s roster.
“I’m older,” Estime said after Denver’s first preseason game when asked to evaluate why he felt he’s a better back. “I’m in my second year in my offense, I’m playing more, I’m playing faster.”
Sean Payton still has hope in him, too, even as he broke the news no player wants to hear. The Broncos head coach sat for what he called a “long visit” with Estime on Monday, amid roster cutdowns. The 2024 fifth-round pick didn’t make it. But maybe Estime could make it back to Denver by Wednesday’s final practice-squad deadline.
“His career’s not, by any chance, over,” Payton told reporters Tuesday.
Still, as the Broncos officially took Jaleel McLaughlin and Tyler Badie, two former undrafted rookies, ahead of Estime at running back, Payton made clear the decision to cut the 21-year-old Estime was a “combination” of things. Partly his development. Partly Denver’s ground game moving on ahead of him.
“There’s also a credit to Badie’s experience, but also some of his versatility,” Payton said. “Clearly, when you add and have the ability to sign a (J.K.) Dobbins and draft a (RJ) Harvey, that room changed immediately, and the competition changed immediately.”
As the Broncos finalize their 16-man reserve unit, they could target Estime if no team claims him. And Payton affirmed Tuesday that the Broncos hope to keep primarily players from their own camp — as opposed to waiver claims — on that practice squad.
“I’m just blessed to be a part of this roster,” Estime said after the Broncos’ final preseason game Saturday. “Hopefully, I will be a part of this roster going forward.”
Want more Broncos news? Sign up for the Broncos Insider to get all our NFL analysis.