Quarterback Kelly may force some juggling in depth chart

For the eighth consecutive training camp practice, Broncos quarterback Chad Kelly led the third-team offense during a controlled scrimmage Sunday.

But after Kelly threw two touchdowns in a span of three plays and backup Paxton Lynch continued to be up and mostly down, it may be time to juggle the depth chart.

Coach Vance Joseph was noncommittal about Kelly and Lynch swapping spots, even for a single workout.

“Chad looked good,” Joseph said. “(Playing with the second team) hasn’t happened yet. It could happen in the future.”

The Broncos want Lynch — a former first round pick — to seize the No. 2 spot behind starter Case Keenum. In the open offseason practices in May and June, Lynch took every second-team snap. They are giving him every opportunity. He was intercepted by safety Will Parks in 11on-11 work.

Albeit against many players who will not make the initial 53-man roster, Kelly has shown consistent poise and gradual improvement in camp.

Kelly played 13 snaps Sunday and threw touchdown passes to receivers Jordan Leslie and Mark Chapman. Two of Kelly’s three incompletions were negated by defensive penalties. Kelly even got in the way of cornerback C.J. Smith when tailback De’Angelo Henderson bounced outside for extra yards.

“He’s a playmaker; he’s always been a playmaker,” Joseph said of Kelly. “It doesn’t always look pretty, but he just makes plays.”

Teammates have been impressed with Kelly’s huddle presence, which he said he talks about often with quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan.

“Coach Sullivan preaches that you have to market yourself in the huddle and you have to go in there confident and you have to go in there with a sense of urgency to complete the play and do well on the play,” Kelly said. “I think we’re doing well all together as a whole group.”

Kelly’s goal during camp is making sure he is prepared during practice and that carries over to the preseason games.

“You don’t go out there on game day and be a playmaker,” he said. “You have to work extremely hard on the practice field and know what your role is and where everybody is going to be. If you get out there in the game and don’t know anything, you’ll struggle. Practice the way you play — that’s what I’ve always been taught.”

Kelly did not play last year because of injuries suffered during his senior year at Mississippi. When he faces the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday, it will be his first live action since his final game with the Rebels.

“Just completing the football and making great decisions and making sure we end every drive with a kick — an extra point, field goal or punt,” Kelly said of his every-drive objective. “I’m excited for the preseason to get live reps and see how everything goes.”