Former NFL QB Suffers Devastating Setback in Comeback Bid

Former Denver Broncos quarterback Paxton Lynch was attempting to make his return to the NFL ranks, but a devastating injury seriously derailed that comeback bid.

Searching for a route back to the NFL, Lynch landed with the National Arena League's Colorado Spartans before the 2026 season.

In his third game with the Spartans, Lynch suffered what is believed to be a season-ending torn LCL injury.

"I was p---ed off," Lynch said of his injury, via The Denver Post. "And it sucks. I didn’t want it to be like this."

Lynch had three touchdown passes in his first three games with the Spartans. The former NFL quarterback told The Denver Post that he's not sure if he'll attempt to return to professional football in 2027.

"I was like, ‘OK, if I play this year in arena football, I’m going to play as Paxton Lynch," he said. "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."

The Broncos selected Lynch with their No. 26 overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft. Through his first two seasons with the franchise, the former Memphis Tigers signal caller appeared in five games — completing 61.7% of his pass attempts for 792 yards, four touchdowns and four interceptions.

Lynch made four starts for the Broncos, notching a 1-3 record.