A different kind of energy is sweeping through the Mile High City. And Denver Broncos legend, Roland Champ Bailey, can feel it. In an exclusive interview with EssentiallySports, he sat down with reporter Ryan Ward to discuss the Broncos’ new wave of talent, specifically rookie running back RJ Harvey.

“The young running back [RJ] Harvey, he is explosive,” Bailey said. “They’re starting to figure out how to use him more.

“He is going to be in every-down back at some point in his career, and it’s not just going to be plays here and there. The good thing for him is he is learning from a veteran in [JK] Dobbins. He has got a very seasoned, experienced coach in Sean Payton. So, he is surrounded by good leadership that is going to elevate his game.”

That validation is coming from one of the smartest defensive minds ever to play the game. And you can see exactly what Bailey’s talking about every time Harvey touches the ball. In Week 8 against the Dallas Cowboys, Harvey took over the field with a total of three touchdowns. One of them included a 40-yard sprint that tore through the defense. That performance earned him NFL Rookie of the Week, making him the first Broncos rookie running back to win it since Javonte Williams back in 2021.

Since then, Harvey has been cooking quietly but efficiently.

“I am looking forward to seeing him [play],” Bailey further added in the interview with EssentiallySports.

Heading into Week 11, the Broncos sit at 8-2, partly because their offensive spark plug keeps finding ways to shift momentum. Harvey is sitting on 214 rushing yards and two touchdowns, plus 25 catches for 175 yards and four receiving touchdowns. All with zero fumbles. For a rookie, that ball security alone should earn him respect. And it seems head coach Sean Payton sees his potential.

Before Denver’s upcoming showdown against the Kansas City Chiefs, Payton made it clear that Harvey’s time has come. “He’ll have more opportunities in this game. He’s built to last, and that’s important,” Payton said.

It’s not hard to connect the dots. Veteran running back JK Dobbins, who has carried much of the load this year and ranks fifth in the league in rushing, has been managing a foot issue. He is not on injured reserve, but his practice reps have thinned out, and the staff appears careful with his workload. If Dobbins can’t go, Sunday could mark Harvey’s chance to headline the Broncos’ backfield.

And if Bailey’s right, Harvey won’t waste it. What makes the player so special is his experience. Before he started playing as a running back, Harvey was actually a quarterback at Edgewater High in Orlando, Florida. Dual-threat. Leader. And that quarterback vision still shows up now.

Harvey has got the pieces around him: Dobbins’ mentorship, Payton’s creative playbook, and teammates who trust him. The only thing missing now is that official breakout moment. And from the way things are trending, it feels like we’re one prime time game away from the Orange Crush finding its next backfield star.

That being said, Bailey also mentioned another rookie talent in Denver in our EssentiallySports FanCast.

Champ Bailey on Denver’s rookie CB

The Hall of Famer added that on defense, he has been keeping a close eye on another rookie, cornerback Jahdae Barron. Drafted 20th overall in the first round by the Denver Broncos, Barron looks promising.

“I’m looking forward to seeing Jahdae Barron on defense,” Bailey told Ward during the EssentiallySports Exclusive. “How he continues to grow. And I noticed he was on my guy, Brock Bowers, a lot last night. He is so versatile.

“I want to see what he’s really good at, and I’m starting to learn what this guy’s really good at, and I want to see him make more plays. I think he had a pick a couple of weeks ago, his first pick.”

Barron’s numbers give weight to the compliments. One interception, three passes defended, one fumble recovery, and 17 combined tackles in 10 games. The rookie is off to a great start.

By the end of our Exclusive Interview with EssentiallySports, it was obvious that Champ Bailey feels positive about the next era of Broncos football. With an offense stacked with promise, a defense that is learning to trust its young stars, the fans are ready to witness something big.