Renck: ‘Uncertainty’ if Broncos find Kelly a potential starting QB

ESPN analyst and Hall of Fame executive Bill Polian turned some heads Thursday during the network’s “NFL Live” broadcast when he said that neither Trevor Siemian nor Paxton Lynch was the most talented quarterbacks on the Denver Broncos roster.

Instead, Polian pointed to 2017’s “Mr. Irrelevant,” Chad Kelly, whom the Broncos selected with the final pick of this year’s NFL Draft.

“I’m not sure that it’s unclear,” Polian said, responding to the question of if the Siemian-Lynch competition is the most unpredictable camp battle in the NFL.

“By the way, in the bullpen is Chad Kelly, who’s more talented than either of these two guys,” Polian said,” but has a lot of growing up to do.”

Polian indicated that though Kelly might be further along than Siemian and Lynch “talent-wise,” the rookie quarterback has drawbacks of his own, including injuries to his wrist and knee and lingering off the field issues during his college career.

Denver 7 Broncos Insider Troy Rench echoed Polian’s remarks Thursday in response, saying that even removing the off-field issues, Kelly’s health is an issue.

“He didn’t look an NFL quarterback this offseason because he’s recovering from multiple surgeries,” Renck told 104.3 The Fan. “So, when I see him in practice, I would be apt to draw conclusions.

“But right now, I would not put him ahead. From just the athleticism and talent standpoint, I would not put him ahead of Paxton Lynch.”

Renck said Kelly’s wins over SEC opponents, including Alabama, in college did impress, but he’d need to see how the young gunslinger adapts to an NFL environment.

However, Renck also cautioned that if Kelly ends up being able to hang with Siemian and Lynch, it might not necessarily be a positive for the Broncos.

Should Kelly turn into a legitimate starting quarterback candidate, it would mean Denver will go through three offseasons with uncertainty at the most important position on the field.

“That would be great for Chad Kelly, and from a talent perspective, that’s not much of a reach. But that would mean the Broncos are looking for a quarterback for three consecutive offseasons,” Renck said.

“That is not where you want to be, having complete uncertainty in three straight seasons in the NFL at that position.”

Following the conclusion of the NFL Draft in early May, head coach Vance Joseph called Kelly his “favorite quarterback” in the class.

“He beat Alabama twice. That’s tough to do as a college quarterback. He’s a tough guy. He’s smart,” Joseph said. “He’s made some childish mistakes in the past, but he’s learned from those things, so I’m comfortable with him.”

At the same press conference, however, general manager John Elway said it could be as late as August or September before the club might see Kelly return to the field from knee surgery in November and wrist surgery ahead of the draft.

“… We realize it’s going to take him some time to get healthy. We’re in the process, we’ll bring another arm in until Chad is ready to go,” Elway said.

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @johnnyhart7.