Chad

Kelly

Benkert spent the past three seasons on Atlanta’s practice squad while Kelly was most recently waived by the Colts. Green Bay didn’t sign or draft a single quarterback despite its ongoing grievance with Aaron Rodgers, forcing the organization to look elsewhere for help. Both players will receive all the reps they can handle since Jordan Love isn’t eligible to participate in this weekend’s rookie minicamp.

Kelly, waived by Indy on Saturday, could serve as the team’s emergency quarterback if signal callers on the active roster test positive for COVID-19. “Swag” Kelly could very well be the swaggiest quarantine quarterback in the NFL.

It’s simply not happening for Kelly, who is more beloved by fantasy Twitter than real life coaching staffs. He was never going to make the Colts’ 53-man roster after they selected Jacob Eason behind Philip Rivers and Jacoby Brissett. The Colts have also waived/released TE Xavier Grimble, CB Andre Chachere, DT Kameron Kline, TE Dominique Dafney, OG Jake Eldrenkamp, WR Daurice Fountain, TE Farrod Green, DE Gerri Green, WR DeMichael Harris, OT Brandon Hitner, WR Marcus Johnson, K Chase McLaughlin, OT Carter O’Donnell, C Javon Patterson, CB Lafayette Pitts, CB Jackson Porter, S Donald Rutledge, CB Tremon Smith, TE Andrew Vollert, DT Chris Williams, DT Robert Windsor and CB Travis Reed.

Kelly will back up Brian Hoyer while Jacoby Brissett (knee) heals up. The final pick of the 2017 NFL Draft, Kelly has been a problem off the field but has shown flashes during the preseason.

Kelly passed through waivers unclaimed after being let go by Indianapolis earlier this week. The Colts will stash him on the practice squad as insurance for starter Jacoby Brissett and veteran backup Brian Hoyer.

Kelly would’ve stood a chance making the active roster in Week 3 had the Patriots not parted with Brian Hoyer, who was handed $9 million guaranteed from the Colts prior to Week 1. Kelly’s done nothing but perform when given an opportunity, most recently striking on 54-of-73 passes (74%) for 583 yards, two scores, and two picks this preseason. Another suitor will quickly jump in and eventually find out whether those marks translate to regular season play or not.

This stems from Kelly’s arrest last fall, which prompted his release from Denver. The former Mr. Irrelevant impressed in Colts minicamp last month and should compete for third-string quarterback duties behind starter Andrew Luck and backup Jacoby Brissett. He’ll be eligible to return against the Falcons in Week 3.

The final pick of the 2017 draft, Kelly appeared as if he would get a few starts for the Broncos last season, but he was waived after drunkenly breaking into a stranger’s house following a Halloween party. He tried out for the Colts during rookie minicamp earlier this month, and he clearly showed enough to earn a contract. If Kelly shows well, he could allow the Colts to trade Jacoby Brissett, who is entering the final year of his deal.

This confirms a previous report from The Athletic’s Stephen Holder, who cited Kelly’s arrival as a reason for UDFA Jake Dolegala signing elsewhere. The Ole Miss product was a preseason standout in Denver but was held back by off-field issues including an arrest last fall that ultimately led to his release. It’s worth noting that Colts coach Frank Reich spent most of his playing career as the backup to Chad’s uncle, Hall of Famer Jim Kelly.

Holder was responding to a Tim Graham report that UDFA QB Jake Dolegala was pulling out of a deal with the Colts because of Kelly’s expected signing. Kelly’s market had — has? — been ice cold since his bizarre October arrest forced his release by the Broncos. Kelly had been on track to make 2018 starts before the incident. With Jacoby Brissett firmly entrenched behind Andrew Luck, Indy would not be a good landing spot from a reps perspective.