After taking over as Denver’s head of football operations in 2012, Elway lured Peyton Manning to Denver, which eventually led to a Super Bowl title. Outside of that move, however, Elway could never figure out the QB position, and the Broncos have rotated their signal-callers ever since.

In 2018, the Broncos had just signed veteran Case Keenum, fresh off the “Minneapolis Miracle” season, and Elway had used a first-round pick on Paxton Lynch two years earlier. The presence of both QBs likely colored Elway’s decision to let Allen go. Keenum lasted just one year in Denver. Lynch started just four games in the NFL, none after 2017. He has been out of the NFL since September 2020.

Chubb flashed talent from the start, compiling 12 sacks as a rookie, so few criticized Elway’s decision to let Allen go at the time. However, Chubb struggled to stay healthy the rest of his time in Denver and was eventually traded to Miami in 2022.

Allen, meanwhile, has become an annual MVP candidate, having led the Bills to the playoffs each of the past five seasons. Like early in Elway’s career, Allen has yet to cross the postseason threshold and lead the Bills to a Super Bowl title, but there’s still time.