Can you picture Josh Allen, quarterback for the Denver Broncos?
John Elway reflects that not drafting Allen during the 2018 NFL draft was likely his greatest misstep as the Broncos’ general manager.
“Last year I was (golfing) with (Josh), and I’m thinking, ‘When will he catch on that I passed on him and chose Bradley Chubb instead?’ It took him two and a half holes to realize,” Elway shared on Barstool Sports’ “Pardon My Take” podcast.
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John Elway, president of football operations for the Denver Broncos, is seen on the field before a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Empower Field at Mile High on Dec. 19, 2021 in Denver. (Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Allen has emerged as one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL with the Buffalo Bills, whereas the Broncos have struggled to find a suitable quarterback since Peyton Manning’s retirement.
“I liked him a lot. But things didn’t pan out. He fit my vision. That was likely my greatest mistake as GM—passing on Josh.”
Since the departure of the “Sheriff,” the Broncos have cycled through 13 different quarterbacks.
Paxton Lynch, a first-round pick in 2016, and Case Keenum, a notable addition after a breakout season with the Minnesota Vikings, were on the team when they opted against selecting Allen.
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Josh Allen, #17 of the Buffalo Bills, addresses the media after the team’s mandatory minicamp on June 11, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. (Bryan Bennett/Getty Images)
Elway opted for North Carolina State standout Bradley Chubb with the no. 5 overall selection instead of the Wyoming talent, Allen, who was drafted just two places later.
During his five years with the Broncos, Chubb participated in only 49 games, accumulating 26 sacks.
The Broncos later traded Chubb to the Miami Dolphins at the 2022 trade deadline for a 2023 first-round pick, a 2024 fourth-round pick, and Chase Edmonds.
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Former Denver Broncos quarterbacks Peyton Manning, left, and John Elway greet each other during Manning’s induction into the Broncos Ring of Fame during halftime of a game against the Washington Football Team at Empower Field at Mile High on Oct. 31, 2021 in Denver. (Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
To solve their quarterback dilemma, the Broncos traded for Russell Wilson from the Seattle Seahawks in the 2022 offseason, yet after two seasons of underperformance, they released him.
In the latest draft, they picked Oregon quarterback Bo Nix with the no. 12 overall choice, hoping he could finally fulfill their search for a franchise quarterback.
Elway posted an impressive 64-26 record in his first five years as general manager, capped by a Super Bowl L triumph over the Carolina Panthers. However, his final five seasons were less successful, leaving him with a 32-48 record before he stepped down after the 2020 season.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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