Schlereth: Kelly promotion signals Broncos will bring in veteran QB
Aug 13, 2018, 8:18 PM
Following a performance in which he went 14-of-21 for 177 yards and two touchdowns, leaving fans at Broncos Field at Mile High chanting his name, Denver elevated quarterback Chad Kelly to the second team Monday.
Head coach Vance Joseph said after practice Monday, “Chad has played well. He played well in the scrimmage, and he played well Saturday night, so he deserves a chance to be the two right now.”
It’s a move lauded by many in Broncos Country and by “The Drive” co-host Alfred Williams.
“I’m happy that the Denver Broncos didn’t just go status quo and keep its first-round quarterback at second team. It was a huge move. It was a huge, huge move,” Williams said. “It’s something I have to commend the Broncos on doing it.
“I think the fanbase around here, you guys have spoken loud and clear, and it’s done.”
But the move could also signify Denver’s plan to acquire a veteran quarterback to back up starter Case Keenum, “Schlereth and Evans” co-host Mark Schlereth said.
“He’s one year removed from college, but he was on a redshirt freshman year, so to speak, here with the Denver Broncos last year,” Schlereth said. “So, I don’t know if you’re going to trust him if Case Keenum goes down for two or three weeks.”
When asked if he has any reservations about having Kelly as the backup during the season, Joseph said:
“Right now, he’s our backup. Again, your roster is pretty much formed until something happens out there. So, right now, Chad is our backup. Things change in this league all the time, but right now he is our backup.”
When asked Monday if he feels he can perform if called upon in the regular season, Kelly said he’s just focusing on working hard at the moment.
“Even the best ones are still working extremely hard. They don’t know everything. Me being in my second year, I don’t know anything,” Kelly said. “Like I said, I have to work hard, I have to watch more film than I ever have before and you know when your time is called you better be ready to step up and go.”
Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.
