For everyone in Broncos Country, yesterday was a joyous occasion. With the selection of Paxton Lynch, the Denver Broncos got their quarterback of the future, and John Elway got his man.

For one, though, it was a very bitter-sweet selection.

Last month, as the franchise began its desperate search for a quarterback, an unexpected person threw his name into the race … Broncos kicker Brandon McManus.

McManus is one of the best kickers in the NFL, if not the best, and you can make a legitimate case that he was the most important offensive weapon the Broncos had last season; his leg single-footedly one several games.

But even he has to acknowledge that the job opening has closed; Paxton Lynch is the man going forward, even if he doesn’t start Week 1.

It’s probably for the best, anyway. The last thing Denver wants is their kicker missing a chip-shot because he’s been tossing the pigskin around too much.