John Elway admitted he still regrets the Denver Broncos passing on quarterback Josh Allen, calling his biggest mistake in the 2018 NFL Draft his failure to overrule his own staff when the final decision was made.
Elway shared those thoughts on a newly released episode of Shannon Sharpe’s Club Shay Shay, where the Hall of Famer reflected on his tenure running Denver’s front office and acknowledged the decision continues to linger.
John Elway wanted to draft Josh Allen, coaching staff disagreed
When Sharpe raised Elway’s long-discussed regret about the 2018 draft, Elway didn’t shy away from it.
He explained that while he personally liked Allen, he was unable to get full buy-in from the coaching staff. Looking back, Elway said he wishes he had simply trusted his instincts and made the call himself.
“I liked him, but I couldn’t get the buy-in from the coaching staff. My one regret is that I didn’t just overrule everybody and say, ‘We’re taking him.;” Elway told Sharpe.
Decision has weighed on Elway for some time
Elway had made similar comments in July 2024, but this time added the detail that he actively disagreed with his coaching staff and considered overruling them. The head coach at the time was Vance Joseph.
The timing is notable as well. While Elway promotes his documentary, the Broncos are heading into the post season behind second-year quarterback Bo Nix.
In 2018, Denver held the No. 5 overall pick and selected defensive end/outside linebacker Bradley Chubb instead. Chubb went on to earn two Pro Bowl selections with the Broncos.
Allen, meanwhile, was taken two picks later by Buffalo at No. 7 and developed into a long-term franchise quarterback, while Denver spent years cycling through options at the position.
Now 13-3, the Broncos host the Los Angeles Chargers (11-5) in Week 18, with a chance to clinch the AFC’s No. 1 seed with a win.