Broncos' former first-round pick makes ironic choice in free agency

2 hours ago 2

Fans of the Denver Broncos have lamented for years the team passing on Josh Allen in the 2018 NFL Draft.

That year, the Broncos needed a quarterback. John Elway was still the general manager and many comparison had already been made between Allen and Elway. Allen went to Wyoming in college, not too far from Colorado. It seemed like a match made in heaven.

With the No.5 overall pick in the draft that year, and with Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold already off the board, the pick was there to be made. Instead, the Broncos selected North Carolina State edge rusher Bradley Chubb to pair with Von Miller.

Buffalo Bills fans thank Elway for this all the time. Elway has since admitted his regret in the decision.

Full Circle moment:

John Elway passes on Josh Allen and drafts Bradley Chubb

8 years later , Bradley Chubb joins Josh Allen in Buffalo. #BillsMafia

— Dave Myers BIB (@DaveMyersBIB) March 11, 2026

Chubb wasn't a bad pick for the Broncos. He had 26 sacks during his tenure with the team, including 12 as a rookie. At first, it looked like the Broncos had made the right call. But Allen became one of the best quarterbacks in the league and Chubb was traded to the Miami Dolphins in November 2022.

Bradley Chubb signs free-agent deal with Buffalo Bills

The Dolphins released Chubb back in February in a cost-cutting measure and on Wednesday, he agreed to terms on a three-year deal with, you guessed it, the Bills.

HOT READ: NFL analyst states Broncos still have interest in trading for A.J. Brown

Chubb, once drafted ahead of Allen, now becomes his teammate on one of the best rosters in the AFC. The Broncos eliminated the Bills from the playoffs this past season. The year before that, Buffalo eliminated Denver. A rivalry is being built and this only adds to that.