Comment on Pac-12 expansion: After UNLV declines, the conference should focus on basketball (and one school in particular)

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W. Va. — It’s not every week a defense prepares to face a 40-year-old opposing quarterback. Of course, when that guy is a sure-fire, future first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer like Aaron Rodgers, the task is a tall one. Head coach Sean Payton this week had a number ready at the top of his head to illustrate the challenge. “You feel like you’re seeing the quarterback we all remember,” Payton said.

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W. Va. — Quinn Meinerz is the first to acknowledge his play didn’t meet his standard over the Broncos’ first two weeks. Sunday against Tampa Bay he played much better and, perhaps not surprisingly, so too did Denver’s offensive line collectively. The Broncos right guard signed a four-year, $72 million deal worth up to $80 million this summer, then was named a team captain. That, he has said multiple times, took some adjusting to. “I think I’ve definitely put a lot of pressure on myself and I think I’ve taken responsibility for my performances the last couple of weeks,” he said.

“The Masked Singer” fans got a jolt last night as the game show booted its first celebrity contestant — one who turned out to be a Denver Broncos football legend. Judge Ken Jeong guessed the costumed crooner as Hall of Famer John Elway, following guesses from other judges that included Tom Brady (from judge Jenny McCarthy), Billy Bob Thornton (from Rita Ora), and Troy Aikman (Robin Thicke).

Aaron Gordon is in no rush to leave Denver. The Nuggets and their starting power forward expressed mutual interest Thursday in completing a contract extension. Gordon, 29, is eligible to negotiate and sign up to a four-year deal starting Friday when the Nuggets also hold their first practice of training camp at Ball Arena. “I really love this organization,” Gordon said at the team’s media day.

Denver Post beat reporters Parker Gabriel, Ryan McFadden and columnist Troy Renck break down the Broncos’ 26-7 win over Tampa Bay, weigh the impact of losing ILB and captain Alex Singleton for the season to a torn ACL and give the latest on Sean Payton’s team from West Virginia. What do Parker and Troy think of The Greenbrier and the surrounding rolling hills of West Virginia?

The Pac-12’s search for an eighth school will continue after UNLV decided on Wednesday night to remain in the Mountain West. The two-team conference grew to six earlier this month with the additions of Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State and San Diego State, then added a seventh this week, Utah State. It needs one more full-time member by the summer of 2026 in order to meet NCAA requirements. Our reaction to the development and views on where the Pac-12 should turn next: — The Rebels became the fourth school to reject a membership offer this week, following Memphis, South Florida and Tulane, which opted to stay put in the American Athletic Conference. It’s a terrible decision for UNLV’s athletic future. The Rebels were paid approximately $25 million to remain in the Mountain West — we’ll get to that issue momentarily — but that cash will vanish quickly given the athletic department’s fragile fiscal situation. Moving to the Pac-12 would have elevated UNLV’s competitive profile, resulting in more annual media revenue and enhanced community support for name, image and likeness efforts. — Keeping UNLV and Air Force, which was pondering a jump to the American, qualifies as a victory for Mountain West commissioner Gloria Nevarez. Nevarez was caught off-guard by the defection of the four schools earlier this month, and her work is not finished: The Mountain West needs two more schools to reach the NCAA threshold.