Is Denver QB Chad Kelly Sparking a Quarterback Controversy?

Denver is a quarterback's city, with a legacy of mile-high talents and personas leading the NFL team to match its most prominent geographical attribute.

That's perhaps why youthful, spirited backup Chad Kelly has grabbed Denver's attention this preseason.

There was John Elway, now general manager of Denver's NFL franchise, who achieved mile high success as the team's quarterback from 1983 to 1999, winning two Super Bowls and leading the Broncos to several others with his on-field swagger, winning arm, and aggressive style.

There was future Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning, who arrived in the Mile High City in 2012 when his career was in jeopardy due to injury. Nonetheless, Manning led the Broncos to a Super Bowl victory (2015) and another Super Bowl appearance (2013) with his game-knowledge and experience a factor.

But after a sub-par 2017 season, when the Broncos finished 5-11with "second-tier" quarterbacks, football-savvy fans have grown hungry for a spark and a sign leading to the future. That's why fans, and team management, have been buzzing around the NFL preseason 2018 emergence of backup Chad Kelly, the quick-release, hard-charging nephew of former professional great Jim Kelly.

Kelly, 24, who played at Ole Miss and led the Rebels to better-than-typical seasons before his collegiate career was ended with a knee injury, was already a Denver fan favorite before fall drills began, due to his DNA and flair both on the field and off. This is his first season in the NFL to start camp healthy, contributing to the buzz.

After Kelly's shining performance in the Broncos opening preseason game last week, earning elevation to No. 2 quarterback on the depth chart, many in the Mile High City are wondering: Can Chad Kelly become Denver's starting quarterback this season?

Already, Kelly has passed by former No. 2 quarterback Paxton Lynch. Now, Broncos quarterback Case Keenum undoubtedly feels the heat, a bit unusual since he recently signed a two-year, $36 million deal. Yet, Denver fans chanted, "Kelly, Kelly, Kelly" in the team's first preseason game, unusual adoration for a reserve quarterback who at the time was No. 3 on the depth chart.

Elway, the former great, was not surprised by Kelly's performance in Denver's first preseason game.

"I had a feeling he was going to play well," Elway said during a press conference this week. "He's a competitive guy, he's played a lot of snaps and he's instinctive. He took advantage of the opportunity that he had."

Tonight, Kelly is expected to get more playing time when the Broncos host the Chicago Bears in NFL preseason week two. But reports are that Denver's starters, including Keenum, will play most of the first half, providing either a chance at redemption for Keenum or another moment for Kelly to turn up the heat.

For the moment, there is no starting quarterback controversy in Denver, according to one pundit following the team. But there's no doubt that interest in quarterback Chad Kelly is running a mile high in Denver.