Broncos Release Running Back Jaleel McLaughlin in 53-Man Cut
Jaleel McLaughlin is no longer a Bronco. The Denver Broncos released the running back as part of their cut to the NFL's 53-player roster limit, per ProFootballTalk. He was one of several players let go in a series of moves as the team finalized its roster.
For McLaughlin, the release is a sudden stop. He's now a running back without a team, his next step uncertain. He was on an NFL roster, and then he wasn't. Now he's waiting for a phone call that may not come.
For the Broncos, the cut is a statement in roster form. They had to make hard decisions, and they decided the backfield could spare McLaughlin. That doesn't mean he isn't talented. It means Denver values the options it kept at the position more than what he offered. Every cut is a priority list, and this one puts the remaining running backs ahead of him. It's the cold math of August, when rosters shrink and careers detour.
That's the bet Denver is making. The message is clear: they trust what they kept more than what they cut. Whether that trust is justified is a question for the regular season. But the choice itself is clear. McLaughlin's tenure in Denver is over. His next opportunity is out there somewhere, if the phone rings.