7 instant reactions to Broncos' blowout preseason win over Vikings

After a humbling loss (even for the preseason) against the Green Bay Packers in the second week of the preseason, the Denver Broncos handed the Minnesota Vikings an embarrassing loss of their own.

The Broncos were completely refocused for what ended up being a blowout victory to close out the preseason, and the players on the back end of the roster were doing their best to fight for spots not only on the 53-man roster, but on the 16-player practice squad.

Before the Broncos can get to their Week 1 Monday night matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, they have two days to officially assemble their 53-man roster. This game might not have made many ultimate determinations, but it might have swung the pendulum in favor of a handful of players.

What did we learn in Denver's huge win?

Immediate impressions after Broncos' impressive preseason win vs. Vikings

1. Jonathon Cooper likely headed to Commissioner's Exempt list...?

It was reported during the game by 9News Broncos insider Mike Klis that the likely outcome for starting outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper is to miss 2-6 games on the Commissioner's Exempt List. It's not an official "suspension" because Cooper's legal situation is ongoing.

Amidst the uncertainty, the Broncos decided to get Cooper some additional preseason reps when he would have otherwise been standing on the sideline in street clothes. The decision to have Cooper play was probably a dead giveaway from the team that they are expecting him to miss some time upcoming.

2. Jonathon Cooper's replacements look ready for more work

Luckily for the Broncos, Jonah Elliss and Que Robinson both look ready to take over for Cooper.

Elliss was active from the opening snap of the game for the Broncos, and had a number of great reps setting the edge and getting after the quarterback. The same can be said of Que Robinson, who almost single-handedly shut down a trip into the tight red zone for the Vikings.

3. Sam Ehlinger should be the QB2 of the team, not Jarrett Stidham

Even though Sam Ehlinger had a brutal start to the game with an awful interception, he rebounded nicely and showed enough to be considered the QB2 of this Denver Broncos team.

Jarrett Stidham did not play well enough in his limited work with the top unit in this game to warrant his $8 million price tag for this season. The Broncos could save $4 million by cutting Stidham, and $6.5 million by trading him.

It just doesn't feel like this team is going to make any sweeping changes at the backup QB position. It feels more likely they will roll with Stidham as the QB2 and keep Ehlinger on the roster as QB3, or try to get him back on the practice squad. Which won't be a guarantee. But for the difference in cost, Ehlinger seems to give the team just as much of a chance right now as Stidham, who may have gotten Marvin Mims Jr. hurt with a brutal throw early in the game.

4. Speaking of Marvin Mims Jr...

The Broncos need to ensure they have some depth in the return game at the start of the season.

Kolbe Katsis has been the most consistently impressive return man this preseason, both in the kickoff return department and punt return department. He had no fewer than four really good kick returns during the preseason, including a 49-yarder against the Vikings. He also had a 13-yard punt return and proved he could really help this team in that phase.

If he's not a 53-man roster player, the Broncos will be praying and crossing their fingers hoping he passes through waivers.

5. Finally, something from TE Justin Joly

I don't know what the Minnesota Vikings' defense was doing on this particular play, and I don't think they knew what they were doing on this play, either.

But after a tough training camp and preseason for Justin Joly, who appears headed for a redshirt year with the Broncos, this was nice to see:

That's a nice confidence booster for Joly, and answers the call from many in Broncos Country who have been begging for more involvement from the rookie 5th-round pick.

6. The one UDFA making the 53-man roster might be a surprise...

Almost all offseason, the talk has been about linebacker Taurean York making the Broncos' 53-man roster and making it 22 UDFAs on the opening roster in the last 23 years.

During the broadcast, 9News insider Mike Klis included a bit of a surprise name in his roster prediction: Gavin Ortega.

The rookie interior offensive lineman has guard/center flexibility, and has impressed the team during this offseason program, apparently. It would be a fascinating development considering how strong the offensive line is on paper, but Ortega was one of the team's most coveted UDFAs and he might make the team.

7. Red Murdock forces a fumble

We've been waiting for it, and it finally happened. Rookie linebacker Red Murdock, known for being Mr. Irrelevant in this year's NFL Draft, finally forced a fumble in a preseason game.

Murdock set an NCAA record with 17 forced fumbles at Buffalo, and everyone in Broncos Country has been waiting for him to finally do it at the NFL level. It was only a matter of time, because forcing fumbles is an art form for Murdock.

He punched a ball loose late in the 4th quarter when a Vikings player was trying to make a play after the catch, and Parker Robertson fell on top of it. Hopefully, we can see Murdock do more like that on special teams this upcoming season.

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