Ex-NFL Top Pick Cut By CFL Team, Football Career Outlook May Be Over

Paxton Lynch’s football career could be headed towards a crumbling end. The former first-round pick took his act to the Canadian Football League but hardly showed his wares.

After hardly seeing action in 2021, the 28-year-old was reportedly released by the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Monday. This was announced through an official release by the CFL team.

It was something that was expected. The former Denver Bronco did not suit up for any game and was placed on the suspended list before the playoffs.

Instead, the Roughriders utilized Cody Fajardo with Isaac Harker and Mason Fine alternating but on a limited time.

For 2021, Lynch received $65,000 and $3,600 in housing.

It was an unfortunate development for Lynch who had the chance to show his skills on the football field. With the Broncos, he played just five games before he was released in 2018. He passed for 792 yards, four touchdowns and four interceptions over two seasons.

Lynch tried his luck in the training camps of the Seattle Seahawks and the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2019 and 2020 respectively. Unfortunately, he failed to make the grade and was released on both occasions.

Lynch played college football for Memphis from 2013-15 and passed for 8,863 yards, 59 touchdowns and 23 interceptions.

There were already signs of Lynch’s fate earlier this week when Saskatchewan signed Jake Dolegala. He took over the spot of the 26^th pick of the 2016 NFL Draft.

However, Lynch was not the only one who was released by the Roughriders. Also released was defensive lineman Tim Williams, who missed the 2021 season due to injury.

It remains to be seen what lies ahead for Lynch. Critics speculate that he could jump over to the USFL which is set to hold its inaugural draft this week.