Paxton Lynch: A Journey of Resilience and Rediscovery
A decade after being drafted, Paxton Lynch’s football journey has taken an unexpected turn. From the promise of leading the Denver Broncos to a humble 60-yard turf field available for birthday parties, his story is one of perseverance and self-discovery. This spring, the number 12 adorned a black Colorado Spartans jersey, a far cry from the orange Broncos uniform that once carried the hopes of a city.
A Fall and a Climb
Many might call it a fall from grace, but Lynch views it as a climb back towards himself, as a quarterback and as a man. A recent practice with the Spartans saw him frustrated with a throw, meticulously redoing his motion, and self-correcting with a determined slap to his helmet. “Hey, you getting hyped for this, man?” a teammate teased. Lynch’s response was brimming with optimism: “I’m gonna play ’till I’m 45,” he beamed, “Like I’m Tom Brady.”
A Second Chance in the Arena League
For two and a half games in the National Arena League, the Colorado Spartans offered Lynch a chance to dream again. After a year and a half without a call from any organization, Spartans owner Tony Thompson discovered Lynch at his son’s youth football practice. The offer? $600 a game. Initially hesitant, Lynch ultimately saw it as a sign – a divine opportunity to reignite his passion.
A Crushing Blow, But Not a Broken Spirit
Unfortunately, his comeback was short-lived. During a game in Salina, Kansas, a hit from the side buckled his right knee, revealing a torn LCL and ending his season before he could even play a home game. “I was pissed off,” Lynch admitted to The Denver Post. “And it sucks. I didn’t want it to be like this.” However, he refused to dwell on the “why me?” questions, recognizing that this wasn’t about seeking former glory, but about football therapy.
Reconciling Paxton Lynch, the Man and the Player
Throughout his journey, Lynch realized that Paxton Lynch the man and Paxton Lynch the football player had diverged. While the man always knew himself, the player had lost his confidence. Joining the Spartans was an attempt to reconcile the two and rediscover a sense of self in his hometown. Even though the experiment lasted only a few weeks, Lynch considered it a success.
“I was like, ‘OK, if I play this year in arena football,’ Lynch said, “‘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.”
The Turning Point: 2017 and Beyond
Looking back, 2017 marked a pivotal moment. Drafted by the Broncos after Peyton Manning’s retirement, Lynch struggled to find his footing. He started two games as a rookie in 2016 and lost the job again in his second year. The arrival of Case Keenum in 2018 further eroded his confidence. “I just remember that whole entire preseason, it was like — I wasn’t Paxton Lynch,” he confessed. “I was just, like, Paxton Lynch without the confidence.”
Cut by the Broncos in September 2018, Lynch bounced around the league – Seattle, Pittsburgh, the CFL, the USFL, and the XFL – searching for the feeling he once had in Denver. He maintained a strong faith and a solid foundation off the field, but the constant criticism chipped away at his belief in himself.
A New Chapter and a Legacy for His Son
By 2024, Lynch had begun to accept a new phase of his life, coaching his son Asa’s youth football team and considering a collegiate coaching career. However, Thompson’s offer of arena football reignited his competitive spirit. He vowed to play as long as he could, even if it meant playing indoors rather than in the iconic Empower Field.
While he hoped for another opportunity to prove himself, Lynch found freedom in playing without pressure. He embraced the moment, slinging passes with abandon and celebrating with genuine joy. His goal extended beyond personal fulfillment; he wanted to inspire his son, Asa, a budding quarterback himself.
“I was doing things where I was like – I didn’t even, like, give myself a chance, in a way,” Lynch recalled. “I tell my son that all the time, too. When he goes out there and is afraid to throw an incompletion, or afraid of this, I’m like, ‘You’re messing up, and you’re not even feeling good about messing up. Because you’re not even doing it, like, 100%.’”
Looking Ahead
Even with his season cut short, Lynch plans to remain involved with the Spartans, attending home games and offering support. He doesn’t know if he’ll play again in 2027, but he’s content with the progress he’s made. “I do feel like that’s what I came out here and did — I was, like, authentically myself,” Lynch said. His journey is a testament to the power of resilience, self-belief, and the enduring love of the game.
