A fourth-year running back, 41 games under his belt, nine starts , gone. That’s the cold, hard reality the Denver Broncos just dropped on Jaleel McLaughlin, among their recent cuts to trim the roster down to 53.
Broncos Prove No One’s Safe in the NFL’s Early Season Shake-Up
The NFL is a brutal business, especially when it comes to roster cuts, and the Broncos just gave everyone a stark reminder. When you see a guy like Jaleel McLaughlin, a fourth-year veteran who’s been a part of 41 games and started nine, get the axe, it makes you feel it. This isn’t some fresh-faced rookie who didn’t pan out. This is a proven player, fighting for his spot, and Denver said “thanks, but no thanks.” It shows you how razor-thin the margins are in this league, and how every single snap counts, even for established guys. Every team in the league is watching these moves, knowing they could be next.
Beyond McLaughlin: Denver’s Massive Roster Overhaul Shakes Up the AFC West
But McLaughlin wasn’t the only one feeling the sting in Denver. The Broncos ran through a whole list of cuts, shaking up their entire depth chart in a major way. They waived defensive tackle Israel Antwine, cornerbacks Brent Austin and Sean Fresch, wide receivers Michael Bandy, Kolbe Katsis, Dane Key, Joseph Manjack, Cameron Ross, and Kyrese Rowan. You also had long snapper Luke Basso, defensive back Ricardo Hallman, tackle Reid Holskey, tight end Justin Joly, outside linebackers Dasan McCullough, Ron Stone Jr., and Johnny Walker Jr., nose tackle Jordan Miller, tackle Tyler Miller, linebacker Red Murdock, offensive lineman Gavin Ortega, safety Parker Robertson, running back Cody Schrader, safety Miles Scott, and corner Reese Taylor all getting waived. Talk about cleaning house! On top of that, they designated linebacker Drew Sanders as waived/injured, which is always tough to see. And it wasn’t just young guys or practice squad hopefuls. Vested veterans like long snapper Mitchell Fraboni, tight end Lucas Krull, fullback Adam Prentice, tackle Foster Sarell, center Lecitus Smith, and guard Calvin Throckmorton were all released too. This isn’t just trimming the fat; it’s a wholesale overhaul that impacts their entire season outlook.
Meanwhile, Back in the Emerald City: A Seahawks Tie and a Stinging Confession
While other teams are making massive cuts, we had our own drama, though a very different kind. Remember when Seattle Seahawks owner Khosla dropped the bombshell that he’s actually a Steelers fan? Yeah, that one still stings a bit. You gotta wonder what’s up with that. And on the field, the Hawks just played to a wild 9-9 tie against the Kansas City Chiefs. A tie! In professional football! You don’t see that every day. It’s early in the season, sure, but a game like that, with so few points, against a tough team, leaves you scratching your head. What does it say about our offense? What does it say about our defense? So many questions after a nine-nine finish in a game we absolutely wanted to win.
So, the Broncos are clearly reshaping their team in a big way after these cuts, and we’ll see if it pays off for them down the line. For our Seattle Seahawks, that 9-9 tie with the Chiefs is a head-scratcher. It’s a point on the board, but man, you want to see a win, especially early on. What does it mean for the team’s early form? Everyone in the Emerald City is looking forward to seeing how Coach Macdonald and the squad adjust. We need to figure out how to put points on the board, and fast, to turn those ties into Ws.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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