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The Denver Broncos took a flyer on quarterback Paxton Lynch in the 2016 NFL Draft, selecting him in the first round that year in one of the biggest shocks of the event.
However, the former Memphis Tigers star would only play five games in the NFL before bouncing around the league, from practice squad to practice squad. He was last seen on the Pittsburgh Steelers roster in 2020.
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Denver Broncos quarterback Paxton Lynch throws a pass against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason game at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on August 30, 2018. (Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports)
Lynch was trying to find a path back to the NFL and landed with the Colorado Spartans of the National Arena League ahead of the 2026 season. He was in his third game with the Spartans when he suffered a torn LCL.
“I was screwed,” he told the Denver Post. “And it sucks. I didn’t want it to happen like this.”
Lynch seemed comforted to be able to play again – even if it was in an indoor soccer league. He hinted that he was up for the challenge.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Paxton Lynch practices at Heinz Field during the 2020 Steelers training camp on August 4, 2020, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers)
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“I was like, ‘OK, if I play in arena football this year, I’m going to play under the name Paxton Lynch. I will have full confidence in myself. I don’t care.’ And that’s what I did,” he told the newspaper.
“It felt good to do that again.”
He had three touchdown passes in three games with Colorado. Javin Kilgo replaced him at quarterback. Through five games, Colorado is 2-3.
Orlando Guardians quarterback Paxton Lynch drops back to pass against the Houston Roughnecks in the first quarter at TDECU Stadium in Houston, Texas on February 18, 2023. (Thomas Shea/USA TODAY Sports)
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Lynch told the Denver Post he’s not sure if he’ll play in 2027, but if the National Arena League is where his career ends, he said it’s a good fit for him.
