Well, that was just awful. What started off so promising ended up being one of the most putrid seasons in recent history. Black Monday is here, folks, and the Denver Broncos are expected to waste no time getting things back on track.

Will Vance Joseph return? All indications are that he’ll be clipped sometime Monday, but there were reports that motivation for firing Joseph may have shifted. Time will tell.

The quarterback nightmare should finally have a resolution. We can all finally declare the Trevor Siemian/Paxton Lynch experiments a total failure and move on. I would be totally okay with neither coming back next season. What about Brock Osweiler? Frankly, I don’t really care what happens there. Let’s focus on getting a starter and then we can opine over who holds the clipboard later.

Brock Olivo is likely out as are at least four other assistants, more if Vance Joseph is fired. Frankly, they all deserve it. As Jack Del Rio said during his final Raiders press conference on Sunday, it’s a results based business and 5 wins ain’t the results the Denver Broncos are looking for. Turn in your keycards at the receptionist on your way out.

Defensively, the Broncos are likely to have a new look with traditional favorites being shown the door to make cap room. It’s the nature of the business, but I’d like to make a plea to keep Aqib Talib. I freakin’ love that guy.

Lastly, the Broncos stadium will likely finally get a sponsor. Having a defunct company’s signage on the outside of Mile High is nothing short of embarrassing.

It’s time for the Denver Broncos to get to work and the offseason is officially underway. Happy New Year, Broncos Country.

HORSE TRACKS

Why it happened: Chiefs 27, Broncos 24
The Broncos fell in the season finale to the Chiefs, 27-24.

Cover 4: Broncos fall 27-24 to Chiefs in season-ending nailbiter
Denver's 2017 season came to a close Sunday as they lost to Kansas City.

Broncos' 2018 opponents finalized
The Broncos' home and away games for the upcoming season are set.

Broncos to pick fifth in 2018 NFL Draft
The Broncos' pick in the upcoming draft was set after Sunday's games finished.

Vance Joseph: I want to be here to fix it – ProFootballTalk
Word on Sunday was that the odds of Broncos coach Vance Joseph seeing a second season in Denver weren't good, but there was no change in Joseph's status in the hours following their 27-24 loss to the Chiefs.

Questions with offense, quarterback dashed Broncos' big expectations - Denver Broncos Blog- ESPN
The Broncos could never escape their quarterback issues as they finished the season with their worst record since 2010.

Bronco notes: Kubiak to move back to Denver with new role | 9news.com
DENVER—In his new role in the Denver Broncos’ personnel department, Gary Kubiak will relocate back to Denver.

Report: Vance Joseph sets up interview for staff replacement
This is an indication that Joseph is safe.

Denison's Jordan Taylor sets career-high marks against Chiefs
Denison's Jordan Taylor set career highs with 6 catches and 65 receiving yards for the Denver Broncos in their season finale against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.

Michael Crabtree Reportedly Expected to Be Cut by Raiders in Offseason | Bleacher Report
The Oakland Raiders are ready to move on from wide receiver Michael Crabtree following the 2017 season, according to Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review-Journal ...

Houston Texans GM Rick Smith taking leave of absence - NFL.com
The end to Houston's season comes with some serious news. Texans general manager Rick Smith is taking a leave of absence to tend to his wife, who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.

Philadelphia Eagles have the distinct title of No. 1-seeded underdogs in the 2017 NFL playoffs
Philly is extremely vulnerable without Carson Wentz, which makes the team that much more likable. So does the Eagles' postseason history -- or lack thereof.

The Debrief: Wide-open field makes NFL playoffs ripe for insanity - NFL.com
The NFL playoffs are here! Gregg Rosenthal sets the stage for what should be a wild and unpredictable January in the NFL.

Marvin Lewis says his future as Cincinnati Bengals coach is 'complicated'
Cincinnati coach Marvin Lewis' contract is expiring, and he and Bengals owner Mike Brown will talk Monday. Lewis was emotional about beating his former team, but players said he didn't do anything out of the ordinary after the season finale.

Larry Fitzgerald says Arizona Cardinals teammate Drew Stanton has been playing through ACL tear
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Drew Stanton has been playing despite a torn ACL, according to teammate Larry Fitzgerald.

Miami Dolphins duo Jarvis Landry, Kenyan Drake ejected following melee with Buffalo Bills
A wild fourth-quarter brawl between the Dolphins and the Bills on Sunday resulted in two ejections and six penalties.

Buffalo Bills fans brave 2-degree weather to welcome team back after ending playoff drought
Fans welcomed the playoff-bound Bills back to Buffalo early Monday morning despite near-zero temperatures.

Mark Davis thanks Jack Del Rio for “building foundation” – ProFootballTalk
Jack Del Rio announced after the 30-10 loss to the Chargers that Mark Davis had fired him. The Raiders owner confirmed it an hour later with a statement. "We appreciate Jack’s effort in building the foundation of this team for the future," Davis said, via a statement issued by the team.

JuJu Smith-Schuster makes history at young age – ProFootballTalk
Steelers receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster had a strong rookie year. How strong? He became the youngest player in league history to generate more than 1,000 all-purpose yards.

ESPN: ESPN employee will be next Raiders coach – ProFootballTalk
It's not official yet, but it's getting there. ESPN reports that ESPN employee Jon Gruden will be the next head coach of the Raiders. The connection is less premature, given that owner Mark Davis already has fired Jack Del Rio.

Kareem Hunt’s one carry enough to win NFL rushing title – ProFootballTalk
The Chiefs had nothing to play for today and kept most of their best players off the field, but Kareem Hunt was given just enough carries to win the league's rushing title. Which turned out to be one carry.

Browns clinch 0-16 season in lowest possible fashion, but have good draft news - CBSSports.com
The Browns ended 2017 on the lowest note possible

Jon Gruden responds to report that Raiders are trying to hire him as head coach - CBSSports.com
Jon Gruden gave the most Jon Gruden answer possible when asked about the Raiders job on Saturday

Colts finally fire Chuck Pagano after six seasons, but they give him a game ball first - CBSSports.com
The Colts fired Chuck Pagano on Sunday afternoon

Penn State star, likely top-five pick Saquon Barkley declares for 2018 NFL Draft - CBSSports.com
Barkley could be the first running back taken and should go early in the first round

Michael Bennett on future with Seahawks: 'I probably won't be back next year' - CBSSports.com
Bennett believes his time in Seattle is coming to an end

NFL Playoff Schedule 2018: AFC, NFC Postseason dates, times and TV for each round - CBSSports.com
Here's a look at the NFL's entire postseason schedule