DENVER – The Denver Broncos announced Wednesday that they have released backup quarterback Chad Kelly following his appearance in Arapahoe County Court.
“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,” said Broncos General Manager John Elway.
Kelly was arrested early Tuesday morning in Englewood on suspicion of first-degree criminal trespass. In a news release, Englewood police said the 24-year old illegally entered a home and was chased out by a man armed with an aluminum vacuum cleaner tube.
Just after 1 a.m. Tuesday, officers responded to an address in the 3200 block of South Lincoln Street about a man standing outside a residence. While officers were responding, they received information that the man had entered the residence.
Court documents indicate Kelly came into an Englewood home and sat next to a woman holding a child on the couch inside the home. The woman told police Kelly was “mumbling incoherently.”
The arrest affidavit said the woman called for a man in the home, who came into the room armed with the vacuum cleaner tube and hit Kelly.
A short time later officers located a man matching his description nearby inside a black SUV near the Gothic Theatre.
Kelly was taken into custody without incident and taken to the Arapahoe County Jail on charges of first-degree criminal trespass.
Kelly and attorney Harvey Steinberg declined to answer reporters’ questions on their way out of the courtroom Wednesday morning.
Kelly’s appearance Wednesday in Arapahoe County District Court was brief. Wearing a jacket and tie, Kelly stood silently next to his attorney.
Kelly was released from jail Tuesday on $2,500 bond.
Kelly’s character concerns were one of the primary reasons the talented quarterback fell to Broncos with the last overall pick of the 2017 NFL Draft.
Kelly never threw a pass with the Broncos, but did briefly appear in the Oct. 14 games against the Los Angeles Rams. Kelly beat out former first-round draft pick and one-time Broncos starter Paxton Lynch for the backup job before this season.
Kelly is also the nephew of Bills Hall of Fame Quarterback Jim Kelly.
