Former Broncos first-round pick Paxton Lynch is being outplayed by former Broncos rookie minicamp quarterback Case Cookus in the USFL on Fox.
— Jon Heath (@ByJonHeath) June 5, 2022
How the mighty have fallen.
Once a first-round pick in the 2016 NFL draft, Paxton Lynch is getting outplayed by another former Broncos quarterback in the USFL. That’s not a typo.
Earlier this week, the 28-year-old Lynch led the Michigan Panthers in battle against the Case Cookus-led Philadelphia Stars. That’s right: Lynch was outdueled against a former Broncos QB you’ve never heard of. Cookus took home a dub, winning 46-24.
Cookus totaled a 145.4 quarterback rating, completing 20-of-26 passes for 247 yards and four (!) touchdowns. Cookus also rushed for more than 100 yards, including an 79-yard score on the ground.
Nobody was happier for @CaptainCookus10 after his 79-yard TD run than his @USFLStars teammates
Listen in to their reaction during his mic’d up TD run
pic.twitter.com/QslYuaCD8A
— USFL (@USFL) June 5, 2022
The performance earned Cookus an Offensive Player of the Week nomination (fans can vote on Twitter).
Lynch, meanwhile, totaled an 80.3 quarterback rating. He completed 27-of-40 passes for 251 yards and two touchdowns. Lynch threw two interceptions and lost a fumble as well. Some things never change. Oof.
Lynch’s Panthers (1-7) are scheduled to next face off against the New Jersey Generals (7-1) on Saturday, while Cookus’ Stars (5-3) will take on the Pittsburgh Maulers (1-7) on Sunday.
Lynch appeared in five games (four starts) for the Broncos, going 1-3 as a starter. Lynch is now getting a second chance in the USFL. Perhaps things will turn around for the former first-round pick at some point.
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