There were a few surprises from teams on the waiver wire after each team cut down to their 53-man rosters and built their practice squads over the weekend into Monday. One of those big surprises out of Dove Valley was ex- Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin not getting claimed, while rookie tight end Justin Joly ended up with the Miami Dolphins .
Broncos coach Sean Payton spoke for the first time since both the 53-man roster and 17-player practice squad were finalized on Monday. Payton expressed his surprise that McLaughlin in particular remained unsigned as of publication.
"I would have thought Jaleel was going to get claimed, and yet that didn't happen," Payton said on Monday. McLaughlin getting cut was one of the final decisions the Broncos made on Sunday, according to general manager George Paton.
In addition to addressing McLaughlin's departure, Payton explained the decision to release Joly, who was a fifth-round selection in April's draft.
"We go through this process, and we've spent a lot of time on who's being waived, who's being terminated …. We felt strongly that he [Joly] was coming back to our practice squad, and yet it's hard to predict," Payton said.
The decision to cut Joly also came with the addition of seventh-round pick Dallen Bentley to the 53-man roster. Payton believes that Bentley and Joly present two very different looks as players.
"They are two different types of players," Payton explained. "If I was trying to explain, they're entirely different type players, but we felt that Bentley earned that."
Bentley obviously fits the role on the team better than Joly would have.
The roster retention from Denver was unlike any fans have seen in recent memory. Nearly 90 percent of the 2025 roster came back in 2026, and the Broncos clearly believe this roster is one of the deepest and most talented they've had in years. They hope that the 53-man roster and the 17-man practice squad will be enough to help the Broncos get to a championship level this fall.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Sean Payton thought Jaleel McLaughlin, not Justin Joly, would be claimed
