Denver Broncos GM John Elway says that the Broncs offered former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick a contract, but he turned them down.

Elway, who is serving as Denver’s president of football operations and general manager, was recently asked if he might give Kaepernick a look-see as the team searches for a new backup quarterback, but Elway nixed the idea, ESPN reported.

The Broncos recently demoted Paxton Lynch to No. 3 to give second-year quarterback Chad Kelly a shot at the second spot. But the team is not ruling out the possibility of bringing on another quarterback. With that in mind, Elway was asked about the possibility of signing Kaepernick.

“Colin had his chance to be here. We offered him a contract.” John Elway when asked about Keapernick as a viable option if they look for a veteran backup QB on the open market. — James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) August 16, 2018

“You know what, and I said this a while ago: Colin had his chance to be here. We offered him a contract. He didn’t take it,” Elway told reporters. “As I said in my deposition … he’s had his chance to be here. He passed it.”

Elway on Kaepernick as an option for a vet backup QB spot: “Colin had his chance here. We offered him a contract. He didn’t take it. So, As I said it in my deposition, I don’t know if i’ll be legally able to say this, but he’s had his chance to be here. He passed it" — James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) August 16, 2018

Elway was referring to the deposition he gave in May in the case Kaepernick brought against the NFL alleging that the league, the owners, and coaches have “colluded” to keep him from pursuing his football career.

Elway reportedly met with Kaepernick twice in 2016 trying to work out a trade with the San Francisco 49ers for the quarterback, but the offer would have trimmed his salary by several million per year.

Elway is now saying that Kaepernick was responsible for the deal not going through.

Follow Warner Todd Huston on Twitter @warnerthuston.