Paxton Lynch's NFL comeback attempt ended due to a season-ending LCL injury sustained in his third game with the Colorado Spartans. Despite the setback, he views the experience positively.
Don't call it a comeback.
Former Denver Broncos quarterback Paxton Lynch saw his attempt at an NFL comeback end a short time after it began. Lynch suffered a season-ending LCL injury in his third game for the Colorado Spartans in the National Arena League, putting his dream of getting back to the NFL on hold.
Lynch was playing for $600 a game and suffered the injury on March 28 in Salina, Kansas against the Liberty, but he still considers the comeback attempt a success.
“I was like, ‘OK, if I play this year in arena football,'” Lynch told the Post, “‘I’m going to play as Paxton Lynch. I’m going to have full confidence in myself. I don’t really care.’ And that’s what I did.
“It felt good to do that again.”
It has been nearly a decade since Lynch took his last snap in the NFL. Drafted by the Broncos with the 26th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, Lynch was supposed to be the league's next big thing – literally.
Las Vegas Raiders – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
New York Jets – David Bailey, OLB/DE, Texas Tech
Arizona Cardinals – Arvell Reese, LB/DE, Ohio State
Tennessee Titans – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
New York Giants – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Cleveland Browns – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Washington Commanders – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
New Orleans Saints – Makai Lemon, WR, USC
Kansas City Chiefs – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
Cincinnati Bengals – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
Miami Dolphins – Francis Mauigoa, OT/G, Miami (Fla.)
Dallas Cowboys – Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami (Fla.)
Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) – Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
Baltimore Ravens – Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn
New York Jets (from Indianapolis Colts) – Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
Detroit Lions – Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
Minnesota Vikings – Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
Carolina Panthers – Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
Dallas Cowboys (from Green Bay Packers) – Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
Pittsburgh Steelers – Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State
Los Angeles Chargers – Akheem Mesidor, DE, Miami (Fla.)
Philadelphia Eagles – Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
Chicago Bears – T.J. Parker, DE, Clemson
26 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
Buffalo Bills – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
27 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
San Francisco 49ers – KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
28 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
Houston Texans – Keylan Rutledge, G, Georgia Tech
29 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
Kansas City Chiefs (from Rams) – Malachi Lawrence, DE, UCF
30 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
Miami Dolphins (from Denver Broncos) – Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
31 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
New England Patriots – Zion Young, DE/OLB, Missouri
32 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
Seattle Seahawks – Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
Standing at 6-7 and weighing in at 244 pounds, Denver made the investment with the hope that the Memphis product would lead the Broncos in the post-Peyton Manning years.
Instead, Lynch appeared in just five games and started in four. He posted a 1-3 record and completed 61.7% of passes. He totaled four touchdowns and four interceptions, playing his last game during the 2017 season. He would go on to join the Seattle Seahawks and Pittsburgh Steelers before fizzling out of the league ahead of the 2020 season.
In the time since, Lynch has tried a variety of ways to get back to the NFL. He made stops with the CFL, USFL and XFL before landing the opportunity to play arena football.
2016 NFL Draft QB class
A total of 15 quarterbacks were selected in the 2016 NFL Draft, including Lynch. It's a class that created some long-term starters like Jared Goff and Dak Prescott. Carson Wentz appeared primed to join that list until injuries derailed his career.
Here's a look at every quarterback selected in the 2016 NFL Draft:
Jared Goff, Los Angeles Rams: Round 1, Pick 1
Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles: Round 1, Pick 2
Paxton Lynch, Denver Broncos: Round 1, Pick 26
Christian Hackenberg, New York Jets: Round 2, Pick 51
Jacoby Brissett, New England Patriots: Round 3, Pick 91
Cody Kessler, Cleveland Browns: Round 3, Pick 93
Connor Cook, Oakland Raiders: Round 4, Pick 100
Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys: Round 4, Pick 135
Cardale Jones, Buffalo Bills: Round 4, Pick 139
Kevin Hogan, Kansas City Chiefs: Round 5, Pick 162
What injury did Paxton Lynch suffer during his arena football season?
Paxton Lynch suffered a season-ending LCL injury.
How much was Paxton Lynch paid per game in the National Arena League?
Paxton Lynch was paid $600 per game while playing in the National Arena League.
When did Paxton Lynch get injured while playing for the Colorado Spartans?
Paxton Lynch was injured on March 28 during a game against the Liberty in Salina, Kansas.
What were Paxton Lynch's feelings about his injury and comeback attempt?
Paxton Lynch expressed frustration about the injury, stating he was 'pissed off,' but still considered his comeback attempt a success.
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