Audric Estime wasn’t without a job for long. Just days after being waived by the Denver Broncos, the second-year running back quickly found a new home, signing with the Philadelphia Eagles’ practice squad.
Amid a busy week of roster reshuffling as NFL teams ramp up their preparations for Week 1, Broncos general manager George Paton spoke with reporters Thursday about a wide range of topics, including letting Estime go.
Estime, a fifth-round pick in 2024 from Notre Dame, ran for 310 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games as a rookie in Denver.
“(I am a) big fan of Audric,” Paton said. “I thought he had some moments last season. We drafted Audric, and he was 20 years old. You don’t see that very often. We knew he’d take some development, and he did develop. … We just wish him the best. He’s going to be a really good pro.”
Why Did the Broncos Waive Audric Estime?
As a rookie, Estime hurt his ankle in Week 1 and landed on injured reserve until October. He still wound up playing in 13 games but never really gained traction on the Broncos’ depth chart, managing just 76 carries.
Estime scored his first NFL touchdown in Week 16 against the Los Angeles Chargers but was a healthy inactive for the wild card loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Fast forward to this season, the Broncos opted to keep four running backs on their initial 53-man roster: J.K. Dobbins, R.J. Harvey, Jaleel McLaughlin and Tyler Badie.
Dobbins, who signed a one-year, $2.74 million base deal in June, is expected to get a heavy workload alongside Harvey, a rookie second-round pick (60th overall) from UCF. Dobbins ran for a career-high 905 yards and nine touchdowns last season with the Chargers but also missed four games with a sprained knee.
“A running game (head coach Sean) Payton has said will be “markedly different” in 2025 is going to go as far as Dobbins and Harvey take it,” Nick Kosmider of The Athletic wrote in his final Broncos roster projection.
Despite his promise, Estime became the odd-man out.
Said Paton: “The bottom line, we were just able to keep four (running backs). It’s hard to keep more than that.”
What Will Be Audric Estime’s Role With the Eagles?
Now in Philadelphia, the 21-year-old Estime figures to be the fourth running back behind Saquon Barkley, Will Shipley, and AJ Dillon.
Barkley ran for 2,005 yards and 13 touchdowns and was the NFL Offensive Player of the Year in his first season as an Eagle.
Estime — who ran for 66 yards and one touchdown on 16 carries this preseason — will now get a fresh start with the defending Super Bowl champions while serving as a depth piece.
The Eagles made his addition official on Friday while also adding cornerback Ambry Thomas to the practice squad. Offensive lineman Willie Lampkin was placed on IR.
Broncos GM Opens Up on Audric Estime Decision After RB Lands With Eagles