Renck vs. Keeler: Which Broncos veteran has the most to prove this preseason?

Where have you gone, Lloyd Cushenberry? Our nation turns its lonely eyes to you, woo, woo, woo. Actually, he’s gone to Nashville, and for the first time in 218 days, the Broncos will be playing a game without him. Or Jerry Jeudy.

Or Justin Simmons. Welcome to Preseason Week 1, my friend, when hope springs eternal — and when we find out which of the Broncos veterans who moved on this offseason this franchise misses the most. I mean, we already know which veteran (Russ, cough, Russ) Sean Payton misses the least, right? So here’s what I’m wondering with six days to go until the new-look Broncos throw down with the Colts: Which veteran still here do you think has the most to prove this month? And why? The Broncos have more “Ifs” than Rudyard Kipling’s poem.

If the Broncos offense makes progress under quarterback Bo Nix, it will start upfront. The offensive line. This group needs to set the tone over the next three weeks.

And specifically right tackle Mike McGlinchey. Those being paid well must play well. McGlinchey received $52.

5 million guaranteed as a free agent in 2023. He emerged as a leader — he is the resident Mayor of the O-line — and was a force in the run game last season. However, he was not good enough in pass protection, allowing six sacks and finished with nine penalties — way too many false starts — in 947 snaps.

In his second season under line boss Zach Strief, McGlinchey must cut those numbers in half. The preseason doesn’t count. But it ma.