John Elway, the former general manager of the Denver Broncos, recently revealed that passing on quarterback Josh Allen in the 2018 NFL draft was his biggest regret. Despite playing golf with Allen and realizing his mistake, Elway instead opted for Bradley Chubb with the fifth overall pick that year. This decision ultimately led to a missed opportunity, as Allen has since established himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the league.
Elway’s misjudgment in the draft didn’t start with passing on Josh Allen. In the 2016 NFL draft, he selected Paxton Lynch out of Memphis with the 26th overall pick. However, Lynch failed to live up to expectations and was eventually beaten out by seventh-round pick Trevor Siemian. Lynch’s lackluster performance highlighted Elway’s struggles in evaluating quarterback talent, setting the stage for future disappointments.
Since Peyton Manning’s retirement, the Denver Broncos have faced instability at the quarterback position. With a total of 13 different starting quarterbacks in the post-Manning era, the franchise has struggled to find a long-term solution. Elway’s poor decisions in the draft, including selecting Lynch and passing on Allen, contributed to this ongoing issue. As a result, the Broncos have failed to make the playoffs since their Super Bowl win in 2015.
After a successful playing career that included two Super Bowl titles, Elway transitioned to the front office in 2011. As the director of player personnel and later as the executive vice president of football operations, he made significant decisions that impacted the team’s success. However, his later years as GM were marked by a decline in performance, with the team struggling to maintain its winning ways. Elway’s legacy as a front office executive is now overshadowed by his questionable draft choices and the team’s lack of success in recent years.
John Elway’s tenure as general manager of the Denver Broncos was characterized by missed opportunities and poor decisions in the draft. His failure to select Josh Allen and his miscalculation with Paxton Lynch underscored his struggles in evaluating quarterback talent. The quarterback carousel that followed Manning’s retirement exposed the team’s lack of stability at the position, ultimately leading to a decline in performance. As Elway steps away from the franchise, his legacy is tarnished by the costly mistakes that defined his GM days.
Leave a Reply