From first-round NFL draft pick to arena league veteran
In short: Paxton Lynch entered the NFL as a highly touted first-round selection for the Denver Broncos. However, his professional journey has since become a nomadic odyssey through various leagues, spanning from the Canadian Football League to the arena football field, illustrating the volatile reality of life for a professional athlete.
Born on February 12, 1994, Lynch established himself as a standout at the University of Memphis. His collegiate career was marked by prolific statistics, including a 2015 season where he threw 28 touchdowns—setting five school records—and rushed for 321 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2014. His performance earned him a spot in the 2016 NFL Draft, where he was projected as a first-round talent and rated the third-best quarterback by NFLDraftScout.com. During his time at Memphis, he tied a Football Bowl Subdivision record by throwing seven touchdown passes in a single half. He also achieved the school record for most passing yards in a single game during a contest against Tulsa.
The Denver Broncos selected Lynch with the 26th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, signing him to a four-year contract worth approximately $9.48 million. Despite his collegiate success, his tenure in Denver was brief. Over two seasons, he made only four starts and recorded four passing touchdowns and four interceptions before being released in September 2018. He was originally selected in the first round after the Denver Broncos acquired the pick from the Seattle Seahawks. His rookie season included a victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars where he completed 12 of 24 passes.
Lynch's career since leaving Denver has been defined by movement across multiple professional leagues. His career includes stints with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Seattle Seahawks, Saskatchewan Roughriders (CFL), Michigan Panthers (USFL), plus the San Antonio Brahmas and Orlando Guardians of the XFL. In 2021, his time in the CFL was complicated by a federal mandate in Canada prohibiting unvaccinated travelers, which led to his demotion to the practice roster. His latest move involved joining the National Arena League's Colorado Spartans, earning a reported $600 per game at most. His time with the Michigan Panthers included being named the USFL Offensive Player of the Week. Additionally, he was eventually claimed off waivers by the San Antonio Brahmas in early 2023.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Paxton Lynch
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