TORONTO – The Toronto Argonauts have acquired the negotiation list rights to American QB Chad Kelly as well as a conditional 2022 second-round pick in exchange for American QB Nick Arbuckle in a trade with Edmonton (the second-round pick becomes a third-round pick if Arbuckle does not sign with Edmonton in 2022).
Kelly, 27, was drafted in the seventh-round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos and spent two seasons in Colorado before a two-year stint with Indianapolis from 2019-2020. The 6’2, 216-pound pivot played four preseason games for the Colts in 2019, starting two, going 54-of-73 (74%) for 583 yards and two touchdowns, while adding two touchdowns on the ground. The Ole Miss product (2015-2016) had one of the best seasons ever by a Rebels QB in 2015, throwing for over 4,000 yards with 31 touchdowns and rushing for more than 500 yards and 10 rushing majors. The Buffalo native became the first Ole Miss QB to beat Alabama, LSU and Auburn in the season. Kelly started his collegiate career at Clemson in 2013 before enrolling at East Mississippi Community College in 2014. He is the nephew of Buffalo Bills legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer Jim Kelly.