Kyle Odegard of Action Network recently interviewed former Denver Bronco and Pro Bowl running back Phillip Lindsay to get more insight into how he feels about two of the Broncos’ most important offensive players, including J.K. Dobbins and Jaylen Waddle, for the 2026 NFL season. Now it’s time to take a look at all that Lindsay had to say regarding both players.
Lindsay Believes Dobbins Has a Lot to Prove Despite Recent Claims
Heading into this season, Dobbins has a lot of assurance that he will stay healthy for the entire season and also believes he can be one of the NFL’s leading rushers in 2026. Even though Lindsay likes how confident Dobbins is, he doesn’t think he should have made such promises, which Lindsay believes he did as a result of what is expected of him.
“I do love the confidence. I don’t think he had to go out there and call his shot like that, but I also understand he’s been hearing this from everybody. From national radio to here in Colorado, that this man can’t stay healthy,” Lindsay told Odegard.
Lindsay went on to express that Dobbins will need to do more than make statements and share his affirmations for the season, especially given how injury-prone he’s been in his professional career.
“The truth is, when he is healthy, he’s very productive and really, really good as a running back,” Lindsay said. “There’s no doubt about that. Last year, my man would have been a top running back in the league because he was in such a groove. But for J.K., talk is cheap at this point. He has to go out there and prove to the world that you truly can stay healthy.”
Lindsay Explained What He Would Do In Dobbins’ Position
Even though a lot of the media and fans around the league may have concerns about Dobbins, Lindsay thinks Dobbins should’ve moved in silence instead of responding to the narratives that many have made about him.
“Me, personally, how would I have addressed it? I wouldn’t say anything. I would have that in my head, that this is my goal,” Lindsay said. “Because the fact of the matter is, it’s hard to stay healthy in this league, and a lot of it has to do with luck.”
Another point of emphasis Lindsay made was that any player can be at risk of sustaining a season-ending injury, while the best thing for Dobbins to do is to have faith that his next season will be his best.
“You can put in so much work on your knees and ankles, but everybody has the same joints, the same ligaments. If it’s hit the right way, it’s going to tear,” Lindsay said. “So, yes, you’re putting in the work, putting the proper food in your body, getting the proper rest, and then you have to pray that this is your year.”
Lindsay is Also Confident in Waddle’s Impact
Some of the main reasons Lindsay is excited to see Waddle play in Denver’s offense are the drive he has every time he touches the football field and his willingness to go the extra mile to play to the best of his abilities.
“He has a great personality, and he’s always smiling, but he’s a competitor. Once he steps onto that football field, he wants to win every rep,” Lindsay said. “Waddle is 5-9, 184 pounds, but he plays like he’s 6-4, 220 pounds. He’s never scared to catch a ball down the middle. He’s always looking to break that tackle.”
In terms of defense, Lindsay thinks Riley Moss will be a tremendously better player in 2026 because of Waddle. Moss will now be going head-to-head in practice with not only a longer and bulkier receiver in Courtland Sutton but also a more elusive receiver in Waddle, which will ultimately help him stay more on top of his game as a cornerback.
“He will also push you on that football field. Everybody around Waddle will get better because of him. Specifically, somebody like Riley Moss, who struggled last year,” Lindsay said. “Riley has the best type of opportunity to get better, because now he gets to go against a big-bodied receiver like Courtland Sutton, and a shifty receiver like Waddle, who you have to stay with and work on your technique. When you get into these games, it will be a lot easier for him.”
Main Image: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
