What does the Broncos failed waiver claim of Hillman indicate?

After being cut by the Minnesota Vikings on Monday, former Denver Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman has a new home — and it’s not back in the Mile High City, as some had hoped.

Hillman instead will catch on with Broncos AFC West foe San Diego, being claimed on waivers Tuesday by the Chargers.

However, Hillman’s return to Denver was nearly a reality, as 9News Broncos Insider Mike Klis reports that the team did place a claim on the speedy running back but were foiled by the Chargers higher order position.

4-6 SD was 11th on claim order. 7-3 Broncos were 28th. Broncos have RB need. Hillman already knows offense, but still Booker-Bibbs. #9sports

— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) November 22, 2016

With that information in mind, 104.3 The Fan’s “The Drive” co-host DMac asked Tuesday what the failed claim means in terms of the Broncos thinking.

“It just says that we don’t have the guy at the running back position,” said “The Drive” co-host Alfred Williams.

Earlier in the week, “C.J. and Stokley” co-host Charles Johnson pointed to Hillman being cut by Minnesota as an opportunity to bolster a young, thin running back group.

“You have three running backs, but really your top two running backs are first-year performers — one a rookie and one a second-year guy coming off the practice squad,” Johnson said of Devontae Booker and Kapri Bibbs, respectively.

DMac said he believes it indicates the Broncos perhaps made a mistake cutting Hillman in the first place.

“It never made sense to me, to be quite honest with you, because I never understood Juwan Thompson over Ronnie Hillman,” DMac said of the practice squad player who just recently was added to the Broncos 53-man roster.

Hillman was released in the final round of cuts following training camp in early September. From there he caught on with the Vikings later that month after Adrian Peterson was lost for the season with a knee injury.

The move to San Diego not only signifies a return for Hillman to where he played college football (San Diego State) but also a reunion with Chargers head coach Mike McCoy, whom coached Hillman in his rookie season while the offensive coordinator for the Broncos in 2012.

Hillman started 11 games for Denver last season, rushing for 863 yards and seven touchdowns on the way to a Super Bowl 50 victory.

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.