Schlereth: Those calling on Broncos to promote Chad Kelly, ‘relax’

After three weeks, five interceptions, two close wins at home, and a road loss on Sunday, some in Broncos Country have called for Denver to replace quarterback Case Keenum with Chad Kelly.

But, on Tuesday, “Schlereth and Evans” co-hosts Mark Schlereth and Mike Evans called the notion misguided, that it’s a kneejerk reaction early in the Broncos 2018 season.

“For those who are calling for Chad Kelly, understand what you’re asking for. Because if you’re asking for Chad Kelly, you’re turning the page on this season,” Evans said. “You’re already looking ahead then to 2020 and beyond. That’s what you’re doing.”

Schlereth said he understands the excitement surrounding Kelly, that his uncle is Hall of Famer Jim Kelly, he was a gunslinger in college, and he showed out during the preseason.

But Schlereth cautioned fans to remember that was similarly the case for Keenum coming out of college as well.

“He set records in Houston. He’s slinging it all around the ballpark. He had more yards than anybody who’s ever played the game. Yadda yadda yadda,” Schlereth said. “Then he went on six-year journeyman duty before he finally got his break after years of competing, after years of backing up, after years of learning football.”

So, instead of rooting for the Broncos to put in Kelly, which means looking more toward the 2020 season instead of 2018, “embrace” Keenum and “hope that the rest of this offense continues to develop.”

“Just relax for a minute. Relax as this offense continues to develop,” Schlereth said. “And I get it. If it doesn’t work out, you can give me the ‘I told you so.’ All I’m saying is calm down. Let it play out.

“Let this kid in Keenum continue to develop in an offense that is brand new for all 11 starters. Not just him, but all 11 starters. I’m just saying, wait a minute because it’s going to take some time.”

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.