The Toronto Argonauts renewed the contract of quarterback Chad Kelly for five more years through the 2031 season on Tuesday.
Chad Kelly is six foot one and weighs 216 pounds. The 32-year-old from Buffalo, New York, completed 366 of 516 passes (70.9%) for 5,067 yards, 33 touchdowns, 24 interceptions, 29 carries for 183 yards, and three rushing touchdowns in 16 games, leading the Argonauts to a 10-8 record.
The Denver Broncos drafted Kelly in the seventh round (253rd pick) of the 2017 NFL Draft. He appeared in one game for Denver in 2018, taking a knee to end the first half in a Week 6 game against the Los Angeles Rams.
Kelly signed with the Indianapolis Colts on May 20, 2019. He was on the practice squad for a couple of seasons before he was released and later stepped away from football and worked as an offensive coach at East Mississippi Community College.
The Toronto Argonauts signed Kelly on February 11, 2022. In 2022, Kelly was a backup quarterback to McLeod Bethel-Thompson. He completed 26 of 45 passes (57.8%) for 297 yards, two touchdowns, three interceptions, 25 carries for 137 yards, and six touchdowns in 18 games, of which he started one, helping the Argonauts win their 18th Grey Cup Championship over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the 109th Grey Cup in Regina.
In 2023, Kelly led the Argonauts to a historic season at 16-2 after finishing the season by completing 270 of 394 passes (69%) for 4,123 yards, 23 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 41 carries for 248 yards, and eight touchdowns in 18 games on his way to being named a CFL East All-Star, CFL All-Star, and the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player in 2023. Kelly fractured his tibia and fibula in the Eastern Final against the Montreal Alouettes, forcing him to miss the entire 2025 season.
Collegiately, Kelly played one season at Clemson in 2013, completing 10 of 17 passes (58.8%) for 58 yards, 16 carries for 117 yards, and one touchdown in five games for the Tigers.
Next, he transferred to East Mississippi Community College in 2014, completing 303 of 453 passes (66.9%) for 3,906 yards, 47 touchdowns, eight interceptions, 69 carries for 446 yards, and one touchdown in 12 games for the Lions. He led the Lions to a 12-0 record and a victory in the NJCAA National Football Championship.
Then, Kelly transferred to the University of Mississippi (2015-16), completing 503 of 786 passes (64%) for 6,800 yards, 50 touchdowns, 21 interceptions, 188 carries for 832 yards, and 15 touchdowns in 22 games for the Rebels. He was named First Team All-SEC in 2015, Second Team All-SEC in 2016, and was named the Sugar Bowl MVP in 2016.
