Paxton Lynch and John Lynch are both well-known names in the NFL, but are they related? The answer is no, they are not. Despite sharing the same surname and playing the same position, Paxton and John have no familial connection whatsoever. Here’s what you need to know about these two quarterbacks and their careers.
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Paxton Lynch: A Promising Prospect Turned Bust
Paxton Lynch was born on February 12, 1994, in San Antonio, Texas. He played college football at Memphis, where he threw for 8,865 yards, 59 touchdowns, and 23 interceptions in three seasons. He also ran for 687 yards and 17 touchdowns. He was named the MVP of the 2014 Miami Beach Bowl after passing for 306 yards and four touchdowns and rushing for three more scores against BYU.
Lynch decided to forgo his senior year and enter the 2016 NFL Draft, where he was selected by the Denver Broncos in the first round, 26th overall. He was expected to be the successor of Peyton Manning, who had retired after leading the Broncos to a Super Bowl victory. However, Lynch never lived up to his potential in Denver. He started just four games in two seasons, completing 79 of 128 passes for 792 yards, four touchdowns, and four interceptions. He also fumbled six times and was sacked 18 times.
Lynch struggled with injuries, inconsistency, and competition from Trevor Siemian and Case Keenum. He was released by the Broncos before the 2018 season. He then had brief stints with the Seattle Seahawks and Pittsburgh Steelers, but never saw any regular-season action with either team.
In 2021, Lynch signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL), but he was relegated to third-string behind Cody Fajardo and Isaac Harker. He appeared in one game, completing one of two passes for nine yards.
In 2022, Lynch joined the Michigan Panthers of the United States Football League (USFL), a revived spring league that featured former NFL players and coaches. He competed with former NFL starter Josh Johnson for the starting job, but lost out to Johnson after throwing three interceptions in a preseason game.
In 2023, Lynch moved to the XFL, another spring league that aimed to provide an alternative to the NFL. He signed with the Orlando Guardians, where he reunited with his former Memphis coach Mike Norvell. However, he failed to impress Norvell again, as he was benched after throwing two interceptions in his debut against the New York Guardians. He was then traded to the San Antonio Brahmas, where he currently serves as a backup to former NFL journeyman Matt McGloin.
John Lynch: A Hall of Fame Safety Turned General Manager
John Lynch was born on September 25, 1971, in Hinsdale, Illinois. He played college football at Stanford, where he was a two-way player as a quarterback and a safety. He also played baseball as a pitcher and was drafted by the Florida Marlins in 1992.
Lynch chose to pursue a career in football and was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third round, 82nd overall, of the 1993 NFL Draft. He spent 11 seasons with the Buccaneers, where he became one of the best safeties in the league. He was a key member of the Buccaneers’ dominant defense that won Super Bowl XXXVII in 2002. He made nine Pro Bowls, two All-Pro teams, and recorded 26 interceptions, 13 sacks, and 16 forced fumbles in his career.
Lynch left the Buccaneers after the 2003 season and signed with the Denver Broncos, where he played four more seasons. He made four more Pro Bowls with the Broncos and added four more interceptions, four more sacks, and three more forced fumbles to his resume.
Lynch retired after the 2007 season with a total of 1,051 tackles, 30 interceptions, 17 sacks, and 19 forced fumbles in his career. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021.
After retiring as a player, Lynch became a broadcaster for Fox Sports, where he worked as a color commentator for NFL games from 2008 to 2016. In 2017, he surprised many by accepting an offer to become the general manager of the San Francisco 49ers. He has since helped rebuild the team into a contender that reached Super Bowl LIV in 2019. He has also made several bold moves as a GM, such as trading for Jimmy Garoppolo, signing Richard Sherman, drafting Nick Bosa and Trey Lance, and trading away DeForest Buckner.
Conclusion
Paxton Lynch and John Lynch are both NFL quarterbacks, but that’s where the similarities end. They are not related by blood or marriage, and they have had very different careers in the league. Paxton Lynch is a former first-round pick who never fulfilled his potential and bounced around various leagues. John Lynch is a former third-round pick who became a Hall of Fame safety and a successful general manager. They may share a name, but they have nothing else in common.
