Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway, known for his big arm and mobility during his 16-year NFL career with the Denver Broncos, had the opportunity to draft a similar player, Josh Allen, in 2018 as the team’s general manager.
However, Elway chose to pass on Allen, a decision he now regrets deeply.
In a recent appearance on Barstool Sports’ “Pardon My Take” podcast, Elway candidly admitted that passing on Allen was the biggest mistake of his tenure as GM. “Last year, I played [golf] with him, and I’m wondering, ‘How long is it going to take him to realize that I passed on him and took Bradley Chubb instead?’ And it took him two and a half holes,” Elway said, according to The Associated Press. “And I loved him. But it just didn’t work out. He was my type. That was probably my biggest mistake of my GM days, was not taking Josh.”
Elway, who took over as the head of football operations for the Broncos in 2012, made a significant impact by wooing Peyton Manning to Denver, a move that ultimately led to a Super Bowl victory.
Despite this success, Elway struggled to find a long-term solution at the quarterback position, leading to a revolving door of signal-callers for the Broncos.
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In 2018, the Broncos had recently signed veteran Case Keenum, who was coming off his “Minneapolis Miracle” season. Additionally, Elway had used a first-round pick on Paxton Lynch two years earlier. The presence of Keenum and the investment in Lynch likely influenced Elway’s decision to pass on Allen. Unfortunately, Keenum lasted just one year in Denver, and Lynch, who started only four NFL games, was out of the league by September 2020.
Bradley Chubb, the player Elway chose over Allen, had a promising start, recording 12 sacks as a rookie. Initially, few criticized Elway’s decision. However, Chubb struggled with injuries throughout his time in Denver and was eventually traded to Miami in 2022.
In contrast, Josh Allen has developed into an annual MVP candidate and has led the Buffalo Bills to the playoffs in each of the past five seasons. Like Elway in his early career, Allen has yet to overcome the postseason hurdle to secure a Super Bowl title, but he remains a key figure in the Bills’ pursuit of championship success.
Reflecting on his decision, Elway’s acknowledgment of his mistake highlights the challenges and uncertainties that come with drafting and developing NFL talent.
Despite his missteps, Elway’s legacy with the Broncos, both as a player and executive, remains significant.
