Denver Broncos free agent Javonte Williams wants to resign with the team following the playoff loss against the Buffalo Bills. According to several reports, the running back expresses his desire to stay with the Broncos after being the No. 3 lead back and barely getting any snaps. Originally selected in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft, the former North Carolina product came into the league and was on pace to operate as the No. 1 starter for the Broncos before injuries hindered him from that happening. Later, returnee Jaleel McLaughlin along with rookie Audric Estime have been outperforming Williams which has made him expendable for the majority of the 2024 campaign.
Despite the loaded running back room, Williams was hoping to revitalize his fate in Denver but that may not happen as he will become a free agent. The 24-year-old still has a lot in the tank after logging a full 17-game campaign, but a new scenery shift will likely be the perfect scenario for Williams. Since the Broncos will give him a smaller workload even if they bring him back, it might not make sense for the team to do such as that. Williams’ name has been a part of several trade rumors so the wild card, perhaps might have been the last game for him in a Bronco uniform.
Broncos Free Agent Javonte Williams Wants to Resign Following Playoff Loss – Chiefs, Ravens Could Intervene
More Running Back Help
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes is one of the greatest signal-callers the league has seen and he will only get better if they continue to invest in improving the offense. While the Chiefs are in the postseason with huge momentum off two back-t0-back Super Bowls, the future beyond that doesn’t look promising. Several impending free agents, including DeAndre Hopkins and Marquise Brown, probably won’t come back unless they agree to a low-stakes deal. The last thing they want Mahomes to be is without his returning superstars but they might have to embrace the worst-case scenario.
While they figure that out this offseason, they could resort to running the football more often to pump the momentum for the offense. Veteran Kareem Hunt came back in the league in place of an injured Isiah Pacheco and has been explosive all regular season. However, Hunt is aging and doesn’t give the run game long-term benefit to produce that kind of workload years from now. Perhaps, they could sign Williams to give some backup to Pacheco as he will have more freedom to grow since journeyman Samaje Perine and Rookie Carson Steele aren’t ready for a backup role.
Depth for Derrick Henry
Nobody in the entire league is replacing veteran Derrick Henry as long as he stays healthy. He’s going to be their starter for numerous years to come as he is entering the final season of his two-year contract where an extension may become imminent. Meanwhile, Justice Hill got that contract this 2024 campaign but a returning Keaton Mitchell has been quiet about getting anything going as the No. 2 halfback. Perhaps, signing a few runners to help add depth for Henry might be sufficient.
Williams isn’t the ideal option for the Ravens but they must remember the injuries Henry has got in the past. They can’t afford him to miss any playing time. The 24-year-old might be the last man on their mind but it’s a low-cost investment they may want to take advantage of.
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