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NFL: 30 of the biggest what-ifs in NFL history

By Hans Themistode

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - AUGUST 24: Andrew Luck #12 of the Indianapolis Colts on the sidelines during the preseason game against the Chicago Bears at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - AUGUST 24: Andrew Luck #12 of the Indianapolis Colts on the sidelines during the preseason game against the Chicago Bears at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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John Elway
John Elway (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /

NFL: 30 of the biggest what-ifs in NFL history: 7. John Elway given no choice

The Baltimore Colts didn’t have to do it. They could’ve simply called him on his bluff.

Possessing the number one overall pick in the 1983 NFL Draft, the Baltimore Colts desperately wanted John Elway. The franchise needed someone who was capable of leading them to the world title stage and Elway looked like the perfect candidate. Unfortunately for the Colts, the feeling wasn’t mutual. Elway threatened to play professional baseball, even going as far as to say he would sign with the New York Yankees.

Unwilling to lose him for nothing, the Colts shipped off the pick to Denver. Elway would of course lead the Broncos to multiple Super Bowl titles but as stated earlier, the Colts didn’t have to acquiesce to his demands. If Elway wanted to play in the NFL, they could’ve stood firm and demanded he played for them or pick up his baseball bat and head to the diamond.

Instead, they sat back and watched him dominate on the Broncos as they spent well over a decade suffering in quarterback hell. In total, the Colts would wait 15 years until Peyton Manning stepped on the scene to save their franchise. With Elway under center, there’s no doubt that the Colts would’ve been a stellar franchise much sooner.

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