J.K. Dobbins did not seem particularly pleased with the question he received from a Denver Broncos reporter, and it did not take long for the conversation to get tense.

The Broncos running back has watched younger teammates take on more work in recent games, prompting questions about where he stands in the rotation. But Dobbins believes there is more to his reduced workload than a change in the pecking order, and he made that clear during Thursday’s media availability.

Fans Split Over J.K. Dobbins’ Tense Exchange With Broncos Reporter

The tension followed Denver’s 30-16 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Oct. 25. Dobbins finished with six carries for 23 yards and a touchdown, while rookie Jonah Coleman handled nine carries for 54 yards after returning from a four-game absence with an ankle injury.

RJ Harvey also had a limited rushing workload, recording three carries for six yards, but contributed 54 receiving yards, including a 52-yard touchdown.

Dobbins, who ranks 40th in PFN’s NFL RB Impact Metric, left the locker room without speaking to reporters after the game, adding to questions about his place in the rotation.

When longtime Denver reporter Mike Klis asked Thursday whether he was concerned about his role shrinking as the younger backs receive more opportunities, Dobbins challenged the premise.

He pointed to his second-half usage, explaining that he scored on a 1-yard run before the Broncos built a comfortable lead.

“Everybody’s wanted me to play 17 games, correct? Correct?” he said, before asking Klis, “So can you take that into account before you start saying stuff like that?”

Dobbins maintained that the coaching staff has a workload plan and that he was not being pushed aside. “The coaches have a plan. This organization has a plan for me, and I’m always there to coach my young guys,” he said, adding that he also wants Coleman and Harvey to succeed.

He also pushed back against being described as an aging veteran.

“You keep calling me a vet. I’m not old. I’m 27 years old. Not old. I’m not 30. Not even close to 30,” Dobbins said. He added that he wants to help Denver win games while staying healthy for a potential playoff run.

The response drew criticism from some fans on X. One wrote, “Buddy is insecure about getting benched, I see.”

Denver reporter Vic Lombardi had just three words: “What’s happening here?”

Others focused on the competition from Denver’s younger backs. “He’s not that good to act like this lol,” one fan posted, while another added, “RJ and Jonah got this boy shaking.

However, not everyone viewed the exchange as a problem.

One supporter praised Dobbins, writing, “JK Dobbins, hell of a way to handle that interview!”

Another defended his response and questioned the reporter’s approach, saying, “Respect this response from Dobbins. Unsure of the dynamic with this beat reporter, but looks like he asks questions that create drama based on the replies.

“Respect that he vouched for his own play, his coaches’ decisions, and the other running backs on the roster. It’s all about winning. Don’t get hung up on the snark being given to what seems like a drama-farming reporter. Message was rock solid.”

Dobbins, however, insists that his reduced workload is part of Denver’s plan to keep him healthy for the long haul, not a sign that he is losing his place in the backfield.