Former "Mr. Irrelevant" and current free-agent quarterback Chad Kelly could be nearing a deal with the Colts, as Stephen Holder of The Athletic reports (via Twitter).
Holder adds that an accord between Kelly and the Colts has been “percolating” for awhile.
The Broncos selected Kelly with the final pick of the 2017 draft, which appeared to be good value at the time. Kelly was once considered one of the top QB prospects in the nation, but his senior season at Ole Miss was cut short by a torn ACL and lateral meniscus, and he also came with character concerns.
Kelly missed his entire rookie campaign in Denver due to wrist and knee surgeries, but opened the 2018 season as the backup to Case Keenum. Kelly actually may have been on the verge of displacing the struggling Keenum in the starting lineup, but a bizarre October arrest led to his ouster from the Broncos.
Since then, Kelly has pleaded not guilty to the felony trespassing charge that stemmed from his October 2018 arrest. But Indianapolis is apparently willing to give Kelly a shot at reviving his career. Kelly could compete with Jacoby Brissett for the team’s backup QB job, and Kelly could even stick as the No. 3 signal-caller if the club elects to carry three QBs. Brissett is entering his contract year, so the Colts may be planning for the future of its backup quarterback situation.
Tim Graham of The Athletic agrees with Holder’s report, and says Central Connecticut State QB Jake Dolegala, who recently talked with the Colts about signing as an undrafted free agent, pulled out because his camp learned that Indy was prepared to sign Kelly (Twitter link).
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