Sean Payton Hints at Game-Changing Plans to Unlock Rookie RJ Harvey’s Untapped Potential

In a league where preparation separates the good from the great, Broncos rookie RJ Harvey is already miles ahead of the pack. The young running back isn’t just showing up; he’s diving deep into the playbook of his new mentor, Sean Payton, soaking up lessons from some of the most talented backs who’ve thrived under the coach’s wing—Alvin Kamara and Darren Sproles. Harvey’s eagerness to emulate those dynamic playmakers is infectious, and Payton isn’t shy about tailoring the offense to fit his rookie’s unique skill set, especially by weaving him into the passing game in ways college schemes rarely do. It’s an exciting prospect because Denver’s offense has been on the rise — ever since Bo Nix took the helm — but what they’ve lacked is a running back who really turns heads. If Harvey blossoms as expected, things could get seriously interesting in Mile High City. LEARN MORE

At a press conference during the team’s rookie minicamp, Harvey said he’d studied up Alvin Kamara and Darren Sproles because they both played running back for Sean Payton during Payton’s time with the Saints. Harvey said he definitely wants “to be like those guys” and Payton seems to think that there’s a way to make that happen. Broncos rookie running back RJ Harvey has done his homework on his new head coach. The Broncos offense took a leap forward after drafting quarterback Bo Nix last season, but they didn’t get have a running back who made a major impact. If Harvey proves to be that guy, the arrow should continue to point straight up in Denver. “I think when you look at a lot of college offenses, I don’t know how often the running back is built into the passing game,” Payton said, via the team’s website. “I think they are, to some degree, but maybe a little bit more so at the NFL level. Today, we had two or three schemes that went in. . . . If you’ve got one of those plays in the script, we try to make sure he’s getting that rep.”Payton said on Saturday that there’s a lot the Broncos can do “to really suit his strengths” and that includes making sure that Harvey is well integrated into the passing game.