Paxton Lynch, the former first-round draft pick of the Denver Broncos in 2016, has encountered another setback in his football career. The 31-year-old quarterback suffered a torn LCL while playing for the Colorado Spartans in the National Arena League (NAL) during his third game. This injury occurred just before his anticipated home debut on April 11, 2026, in Denver, effectively ending his season. Lynch expressed his disappointment, stating, 'I was pissed off. And it sucks. I didn’t want it to be like this.' Previously, he had planned to continue playing until he was 45 years old. Lynch was earning $600 per game, but following this significant knee injury, he is uncertain about returning to play in 2027. The Denver Broncos selected Lynch in the first round of the NFL draft out of the University of Memphis, but he struggled to secure a starting position, going 1-3 as a starter during his time with the team. Since being released by the Broncos, Lynch has played for multiple teams across various leagues, including the Canadian Football League (CFL) and the United Football League (UFL). This latest injury may signal the end of his professional football career.