Ready to be written, the story of the Denver Broncos for 2024 is set to begin. The final 53-man roster was fielded by Tuesday’s 4:00 PM ET deadline, and the 16-man practice squad spots will follow. 90 players went into Sunday’s final preseason game before the chopping block came down, leaving 19 players to find landing spots on one of the other 31 teams in the NFL or hope for a call later in the season.

The three-game preseason was perfect for the Broncos, who had a 3-0 record and an average of 33 points per game. Denver was first overall in the NFL. The newly appointed starting quarterback, Bo Nix, did not play in the final preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals, nor did Cardinals starter Kyler Murray. Even still, no other team scored more points than the Broncos on Sunday in their 38-12 rout of the Cardinals at Empower Field.

In their final appearances before the cuts, many hopeful players performed to get their playing action on tape for other teams to evaluate. Some players let go were familiar names, while others were not. Six of the seven rookies made the team, and three undrafted rookies also made the cut. Head Coach Sean Payton was pleased with the outcome of the preseason before making his final selections.

“It is never easy, this process, and it is what it is,” Payton said. “I have been in it myself a number of times, formally as a player. I can remember being really naive on one team, thinking they were going to start me. I went in, I got cut, and I could not believe it. You have the 53[-man roster] and the practice squad. There are paths for decisions, and part of it is managing the roster. So [General Manager] George [Paton] and I have met for the better part of the last couple weeks each week, relative to where we are at with certain decisions. I think we have a good handle on it in terms of that.”

All three quarterbacks survived the cuts, with Payton and Paton opting to go with three quarterbacks on the roster. While Bo Nix was named the starter last week, the other two quarterbacks, Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson, turned in solid performances in the final preseason game of the season.

Running back Samaje Perine was one of the notable players to be released from the team. The Broncos opted to go with four running backs: Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin, rookie Audric Estime, and undrafted free agent Blake Watson.

Former starter Tim Patrick will no longer be a part of the broad receiver group as he will move on to the Detroit Lions. Former Lions receiver Josh Reynolds did make the final roster along with wide receivers Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims Jr., Troy Franklin, and Devaughn Vele.

The first game of the regular season will be against the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 8 in Seattle, Washington.

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