Audric Estime still had hope a few weeks ago. The same is true for faith. Still the smallest return in the Denver room and the youngest player in the Denver roster.
“I’m older,” Estime said after Denver’s first preseason, when asked to evaluate why he felt he was better at defending. “I played more in the second year of the offense and I played faster.”
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Sean Payton still has hope for him, even if he breaks the news that no player wants to hear. The Broncos head coach sat on Monday with what he called a “long-distance visit” with Estime. The 2024 fifth-round draft pick has not been successful. But maybe Estime can return it to Denver before Wednesday’s final practice level deadline.
“His career is not over,” Payton told reporters Tuesday.
Still, as the Broncos officially led the run with Jaleel McLaughlin and Tyler Badie, Payton made it clear that the decision to cut Estime at 21 is a “combination” of things. Partly his development. Part of the Denver ground game is moving forward.
“Beddy’s experience also has a commendable credit, but so does his versatility,” Payton said. “Obviously, when you add and have the ability to sign (JK) Dobbins and draft A (RJ) Harvey, the room changed immediately and the game changed immediately.”
With the Broncos finally determining their 16-man reserve, they could target the power agency if no team claims him. Payton confirmed Tuesday that the Broncos hope to keep major players away from their camps rather than any improvement in the future elimination league exemption.
“I’m lucky to be part of this roster,” Estime said after Saturday’s final preseason game for the Broncos. “Hopefully I will be part of this roster.”
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Original Published: August 26, 2025, 6:29 PM MDT