Denver Broncos backup quarterback Chad Kelly leaves after a hearing in the Arapahoe County Courthouse on Oct. 24, 2018, in Centennial, Colo. Kelly was arrested early Tuesday on suspicion of criminal trespass in Englewood, Colo.David Zalubowski/The Associated Press
Chad Kelly’s short stint as the Denver Broncos backup quarterback is over.
The Broncos waived the second-year pro Wednesday, a day after he was arrested on suspicion of criminal trespass.
General manager John Elway huddled with coach Vance Joseph and team president Joe Ellis and “we agreed that releasing Chad was the right thing to do,” Elway said in a statement.
“Even though Chad’s no longer part of our team, we’ve offered to help him however we can and are supportive of him in every possible way,” Elway added.
Before a court appearance Wednesday, Kelly drove up to team headquarters in a white SUV and sprinted in and out of the building without stopping to answer questions. He also declined to comment outside court.
He stood silently next to his lawyer, Harvey Steinberg, during his appearance at Arapahoe County District Court, where his next appearance was scheduled for Nov. 8.
Steinberg declined to comment on his way out of the courtroom and again when reached by the Associated Press later Wednesday.
Kelly attended a Halloween costume party hosted by Von Miller on Monday night that has long been a tradition for Broncos players and their significant others.
It was after the party that Kelly found himself in trouble.
According to court records, a couple reported that a stranger entered their home in the Denver suburbs after 1 a.m. Tuesday, sat down on their couch and was “mumbling incoherently.” Police say they found the 24-year-old Kelly afterward parked nearby. The man identified Kelly as the intruder and provided surveillance video to police.
Police and court records do not address Kelly’s physical state at the time, and there is no mention of testing for alcohol or substance use. Police said officers made the arrest “without incident.”
Kelly was released from jail Tuesday on US$2,500 bond.
If he gets another chance with another team, Kelly could still face discipline from the NFL, which said Tuesday that it is reviewing the matter.