Broncos C.J. Anderson earns big contract, yet is still prepared to prove himself

Anderson has been forced to prove himself from day one in the NFL. As an undrafted college free agent he joined the Broncos May 1, 2013 and has worked as hard as anyone to not only get on the field, but make an impact. At times it appeared he would be another free agent loss this offseason but his impact in recent seasons led John Elway to retain the running back Tuesday afternoon.

“We want to continue to get better in the offensive side and he’s going to be a guy who’s going to lead that when it comes to the running game. We have high expectations for him. We think he has the ability to do that, so we’re glad he’s back,” Elway said via conference call shortly after the move was announced.

Tuesday, the Broncos matched the Miami Dolphins four-year $18 million offer sheet nearly at the last moment. The Broncos had until 2 p.m. to match the offer and only announced the move at 1:12 p.m. via Elway’s twitter account. The late decision did not offend Anderson, despite previously acknowledging the low tender did surprise him.

“It’s all business. I understand. I understand what the running back market and how it works,” I’m excited to be here. Four years ago, this organization took a chance on an undrafted kid and I looked at them in their eye and told them, ‘hey you’re making the best decision.’ And they are still making a great decision and I’m just glad I can continue my career here in blue in orange,” he said Tuesday at his press conference.

The Broncos tagged Anderson with a surprisingly late-round tender prior to the free agency period allowing the Dolphins and the Chicago Bears to court the young running back. It also made it difficult for the Broncos to let him go, as they would have gained no draft picks as compensation due to the low tender.

Anderson stated publicly he wanted to stay in Denver but accepted the Dolphins offer five days ago after turning down a visit with the Bears for more money. Anderson, who entered the league with little confidence from anyone besides himself, had his football career in mind, rather than pure money motivations when it came down to his final two choices.

“It wasn’t about the money. If it was about the money I would have chose Chicago because they offered more, as most people know. My whole thing was, what can I be successful in,” he said. “I was more worried about my success and career than money-wise.”

In his four seasons with the Broncos he has run the ball for 1,607 yards and compiled an impressive 4.8 yards per carry average. He has appeared in 35 regular season games, five postseason games and a total of 15 starts. The second half of his 2014-15 season in which he ran through opposing defenses will ease, eventually totally of 849 regular season rushing yards, earned him a Pro Bowl nod and more playing time in the 2015-16 season.

During the 2015-16 season, Anderson again started off slow and suffered multiple nagging injuries but he persevered, only missing Week 14 versus the Oakland Raiders. His 720 regular season rushing yards were certainly not what he had hoped his season would come to but he also should great timing, running for some explosive game winning plays, the most memorable being an overtime touchdown run against the New England Patriots in Week 12. He expected more out of himself in 2015 and still after the pay day, knows he has more to prove.

“People still think I can’t do it, I can’t be the bell cow back, I can’t stay healthy, I’m not going to be able to produce and be productive in the system. There are still things going on out there that still keep me motivated and hungry,” Anderson said.

In Super Bowl 50 Anderson clearly had the coaches favor over Ronnie Hillman, who started more games (10) and had more rushing yards (863) in the regular season. Anderson ran the ball 23 times for 90 yards, the first such game he exceeded 20 carriers all season and capped the game with a touchdown on a short, but gritty run up the middle Feb. 7. Anderson pointed to that game Tuesday to what he plans on doing next season.

“That is the game where it shows, where it matters. I did it in the Super Bowl,” he said confidently. “I know I can do it.”

Hillman now is the only other Broncos running back to start a game for the team the last two seasons on the roster and he remains a free agent. Elway commented on Hillman earlier Tuesday after the announcing the Anderson move.

“Ronnie is obviously testing the market. Again, that’s a fluid situation. Things are starting to calm down a little bit with where we are in free agency. Obviously we’re always concerned with where we are as far as the numbers if you understand the compensatory picks situation of where we are there, too.”

That statement all but seals Hillman’s exit from the team after being drafted by Elway and The Broncos in 2012. Anderson’s new contract, coupled with Elway’s statements on his increased responsibility with the team means that 20-plus carries are in his future and he will likely need to lead the rest of the position group out at UCHealth Training Center.

“I got a running back coach that is not going to let up or let me breathe when it comes to being successful. Believe that,” Anderson said of longtime Broncos running backs coach Eric Studesville.

Studesville and Anderson spoke with smiles on their faces Tuesday but both echoed past motivations and goals despite the running back’s new contract. Just like always and now with the weight of a big contract, Anderson has more to prove.

“We signed him four years ago as an undrafted free agent. He made a huge commitment to come here and work hard and prove he was a dominant player in this league. He continues to do that everyday,” Studesville said moments before Anderson spoke. “He knows we still got some more work to do going forward but we are going to continue that work. We’re glad to have him back and excited for him and this opportunity. It is well deserved.”