John Elway names 'biggest mistake' as Broncos GM

The Broncos have been searching for their next franchise quarterback since Peyton Manning's retirement following the 2015 season.

This offseason, Denver traded for former No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson and drafted Bo Nix with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft to join Jarrett Stidham in its quarterback room.

Former general manager John Elway is hoping one of the three quarterbacks is finally the answer, but he can't help but think that he could have gotten his team out of quarterback purgatory in 2018 by selecting Josh Allen instead of edge-rusher Bradley Chubb with the fifth overall pick.

"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 , via 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."

Allen was taken just two picks later at No. 7 overall by the Buffalo Bills and he has been a strong-armed, mobile quarterback just like Elway was ever since.

The 28-year-old has thrown for 22,703 yards and 167 touchdowns while also rushing for 3,611 yards and 53 touchdowns in the past six years.

Chubb, on the other hand, amassed 170 tackles, 26 sacks, six forced fumbles and one fumble recovery with the Broncos before being dealt to the Miami Dolphins in 2022.

He is coming off arguably his best season in the league in which he recorded a career-high 73 tackles, six forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries along with 11 sacks.

However, it's safe to say Denver would make a different decision if it could go back. Among those who have started for the Broncos over the past eight years are Trevor Siemian, Case Keenum, Joe Flacco, Drew Lock, Teddy Bridgewater, Russell Wilson and Stidham.

Allen has also been unable to deliver the Bills a Super Bowl but there's no arguing against the idea that Buffalo is much closer to a championship than Denver.