John Elway recently admitted that passing on quarterback Josh Allen in the 2018 NFL Draft was his biggest regret during his time as the general manager of the Denver Broncos. He expressed his admiration for Allen’s skills and personality, noting that he realized his mistake while playing golf with him.
Elway opted to select Bradley Chubb with the fifth overall pick in 2018 instead of Allen, who was known for his strong arm and performance at the University of Wyoming. Chubb struggled with injuries during his time with the Broncos and was eventually traded to the Miami Dolphins.
This decision was not Elway’s first quarterback mistake, as he had previously drafted Paxton Lynch in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Lynch failed to secure the starting position and was eventually released by the team in 2018.
These quarterback blunders contributed to the Broncos’ struggles in recent years, as they have not made the playoffs since their Super Bowl win in 2015. The team has cycled through multiple starting quarterbacks, with uncertainty surrounding the position heading into the upcoming season.
Elway, a Hall of Fame quarterback himself, had a successful start as an executive with the Broncos but saw a decline in the team’s performance in his later years. He ultimately stepped down from his role after the 2020 season.
The Broncos’ quarterback situation remains uncertain, with multiple players vying for the starting role. Elway’s acknowledgment of his mistakes in passing on talented quarterbacks like Allen serves as a reminder of the challenges in evaluating and selecting players in the NFL draft. It also highlights the importance of securing a franchise quarterback for long-term success in the league.
As the Broncos continue to search for stability at the quarterback position, Elway’s reflections on his past decisions offer insights into the complexities of building a competitive roster in the NFL. His experience serves as a cautionary tale for future general managers tasked with making crucial draft choices that can shape the trajectory of a team’s success.
Moving forward, the Broncos will need to learn from past mistakes and make strategic decisions to address their quarterback woes and return to playoff contention in the competitive landscape of the NFL.