After the loss to preseason loss to Minnesota, I voiced my concerns about Broncos leadership. Since the roster cuts came down, I am encouraged that accountability and expectations are in place.

First and foremost, I am relieved that the Paxton Lynch experiment has finally come to an end. Credit to John Elway for making the tough choice and cutting bait on a draft pick that proved itself otherwise doomed. No longer will coach Vance Joseph be put in a position where the success of his team will be at odds with unattainable goals set for a disastrous 1st round pick. Truth be told, my heart goes out to Lynch. Like the rest of us, I thought his future in Denver would have more to it than it did. Let’s note the disappointment and learn from it, but not wallow in it.

Like many, I was surprised that the Broncos so quickly swung an ax on Isaiah McKenzie. While he struggled (to put it kindly) last year, I thought he started to show promise this offseason. Not fumbling on every possession is a marked improvement that hopefully shows maturation and development in the young returner. I imagine reality had to set in pretty quick when Isaiah was cut, signed to the practice squad, and subsequently activated to the 53-man roster within just 48 hours. Few things will get someone’s attention quite like holding them over the edge of the abyss and then pulling them back to give them a second chance. Here’s hoping McKenzie makes the most of what is more than likely his last opportunity with the Denver Broncos. No pressure.

The only move I question is the retention of running back Devontae Booker. In his time with the Broncos, Booker has proven that he isn’t a home run hitter. He’s not a bruiser. When it’s 3rd and 4, with the game on the line, there isn’t a defense out there that’s worried what Booker is going to do to them. That could change with the addition of Case Keenum and his ability to stretch the field, but the preseason provided evidence that more of the same is in store. That said, I have the highest of hopes that Booker finds himself and makes me eat these words. Pass the hot sauce, please.

Denver hosts the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday to open the 2018 season. The history books of this year have yet to be written. Indications seem to be that the Broncos have learned from the mistakes from the last couple years and turned the page of missteps of recent history. Let’s hope so.

Go Broncos!

HORSE TRACKS

Mason's Mailbag: Broncos' future is already here
A majority of the team is homegrown, and most of those players have joined the team since 2016.

Denver Broncos move on from 2016 first-round QB pick Paxton Lynch
The Denver Broncos officially ended the Paxton Lynch experiment after he struggled to get on the field because of inconsistency issues.

Broncos sign nine players to practice squad
The Broncos have one open spot on their practice squad.

Paxton Lynch cut as Broncos move on from Manning successor
Paxton Lynch was handed the Broncos offense a year after they won the Super Bowl. Now he's a free agent.

Broncos’ once-prized quarterback is officially a bust
The Broncos cut quarterback Paxton Lynch and claimed quarterback Kevin Hogan on waivers from Washington.

Hogan will step into the third-string role with the...

Broncos place S Su'a Cravens on IR, sign WR Isaiah McKenzie
Cravens will be eligible to return halfway through the season.

Broncos Start Regular Season With 4 Players On Reserve/Injured List « CBS Denver
The Broncos will be starting the season with four players on the Reserve/Injured list.

Broncos' Troy Fumagalli: Heads to IR - CBSSports.com
Broncos' Troy Fumagalli: Heads to IR

Paxton Lynch failure a reminder that Jerry Jones lucked into Dak Prescott – ProFootballTalk
Broncos quarterback Paxton Lynch is officially a draft bust with today's decision to cut him. Broncos General Manager John Elway will rightly take criticism for drafting Lynch in the first round. But Elway wasn't the only NFL decision-maker who loved Lynch.

Who tried to trade for Khalil Mack? 'Half the league called,' but three teams were close - CBSSports.com
The Raiders had plenty of suitors for the defensive end, but the Jets, Packers and 49ers might have come the closest

Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie explains Khalil Mack trade, says they'll still 'pay top dollar to top players' - CBSSports.com
The Raiders traded their best player to the Bears, which is why the GM had some explaining to do

Jon Gruden: We weren’t offering Khalil Mack anything close to the Bears’ offer – ProFootballTalk
Oakland traded Khalil Mack to Chicago on Saturday, and the Bears promptly made Mack the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL. That's something the Raiders weren't going to do.

Jon Gruden’s Raiders are the oldest NFL roster in years – ProFootballTalk
Jon Gruden is bringing the Over The Hill Gang back together. Gruden has assembled the oldest 53-man roster in the NFL in years. Jimmy Kempski of PhillyVoice.com, who has been calculating the average age of every opening-day NFL roster in 2012, reports that the Raiders' average age of 27.

Gruden says Raiders could bring Martavis Bryant back next year – ProFootballTalk
The Raiders sending their third-round draft pick to Pittsburgh for wide receiver Martavis Bryant seems like a disastrous decision after Bryant was cut on Saturday, but coach Jon Gruden defended his decision today. Gruden even said Bryant could be back with the Raiders next year.

Jon Gruden on Mack trade: 'Something had to happen' - NFL.com
One day after shipping out his best player for two first-round picks, Jon Gruden defended his organization's decision. The reasoning, he said, was simple: The standoff had to end.

Saints will reportedly sign former Patriots running back Mike Gillislee to one-year deal - CBSSports.com
Gillislee lost a competition to Jeremy Hill and was waived in roster cut-downs

Panthers put Matt Kalil on injured reserve – ProFootballTalk
The Panthers got right tackle Daryl Williams back at practice on Sunday, but they won't have left tackle Matt Kalil on the field for a while. Kalil had his knee scoped recently and General Manager Marty Hurney announced on Sunday that he will be placed on injured reserve.

Doug Pederson bristles at reporters over quarterback questions – ProFootballTalk
An earlier item based on a real-time tweet suggested that Eagles coach Doug Pederson isn't happy with reporters over the ongoing effort to find out whether Carson Wentz or Nick Foles will be starting at quarterback on Thursday night against the Falcons.

Saints add running back depth, signing Mike Gillislee – ProFootballTalk
The Saints hosted running back Mike Gillislee on a visit Sunday. It didn't take long for them to make a deal. Gillislee signed a one-year deal with New Orleans a day after the Patriots cut him, Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports.

Waivers roundup: Giants claim DE Mario Edwards - NFL.com
Mario Edwards needed less than 24 hours to find a new home. The defensive end has been claimed via waivers by the New York Giants, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported.

Kicker Dan Bailey working out for New York Jets - NFL.com
Dan Bailey's illustrious career with the Dallas Cowboys is over, but that doesn't mean his NFL days are finished. The New York Jets are working out Bailey, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported, per a source informed of the situation.