Indianapolis Colts: 6 best quarterbacks the franchise ever drafted
By Mike Luciano
2. John Elway (1983)
But … John Elway never even played for the Colts!
Avert your eyes, Colts fans! Elway was drafted by the Baltimore Colts in 1983, but he famously refused to play for them for a multitude of reasons. On top of the fact that he wanted to be on the West Coast, Baltimore was coming off of an 0-8-1 record in the strike-shortened season. Former Arizona State head coach Frank Kush, who had a reputation as a harsh, intimidating man that would strike fear into his players, also spooked Elway about the Colts.
Elway was traded to the Denver Broncos for a package headlined by offensive lineman and No. 4 overall pick Chris Hinton, backup quarterback Mark Herrmann, and a 1984 first-round pick, which became one-time Pro Bowler Ron Solt. While Hinton was a Pro Bowler seven times and an All-Pro five times, even earning a spot in the Colts Ring of Honor, Elway became one of the greatest quarterbacks ever.
The gunslinger ended his career with 300 touchdown passes and almost 52,000 yards passing. A nine-time Pro Bowler and MVP, Elway made the Super Bowl five times, capping off his career with two championship victories in a row, including one over Chandler’s Falcons. Elway’s concerns about Baltimore proved to be warranted, as they largely struggled until they drafted a certain quarterback from Tennessee.