The Toronto Argonauts and quarterback Chad Kelly agreed to a three-year contract extension through the 2026 season on Thursday. Chad Kelly is six foot two and weighs 216 pounds.
This season, the 29-year-old from Buffalo, New York, has completed 149 of 213 passes (70%) for 2,377 yards, 16 touchdowns, seven interceptions, 25 carries for 135 yards, and six touchdowns in nine games.
This is Kelly’s first full-time season in the CFL and has led them to an 8-1 record. He will be the highest-paid player for the next three seasons. In 2024, he will earn $615,000, and $625,000 for the last two seasons.
Saskatoon-based, Canadian agent Chris Lambiris negotiated his deal. In 2024, he is due a $250,000 signing bonus but can’t collect it if he signs an NFL contract during the December through February window.
“I couldn’t be happier to sign this extension and proudly represent the historic Double Blue, Today marks not only a contract extension, but an extension of my commitment to the amazing city of Toronto, my teammates, coaches, front office, and MLSE,” said Kelly.
“I want to thank each one of you for your unwavering support over the last two years, and I look forward to leading this team to future Grey Cups. I also want to thank the Lord for providing me daily strength to do what I do best, my family for always being there for me throughout this process, and the team around me for making this all come together.”
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.
“Chad’s play on the field and leadership off the field make him the perfect fit for us here in Toronto. You’ve seen what he’s done so far this season and we have no doubt the best is still yet to come with Chad,” said Toronto Head Coach Ryan Dinwiddie. “He is a player who can lead us to where we are trying to go and that is to compete consistently for Grey Cups each year. We are beyond thrilled he is our guy going forward.”
Before Toronto, Kelly was drafted by the Denver Broncos 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.
After Toronto, he 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 level of exhilaration on this day is only rivaled by the excitement Chad Kelly provides every time he takes the field! Today’s news is not just great for the Toronto Argonauts, it’s outstanding for our league. Not only has he played lights-out football but he has seemed to raise the level of opposing quarterbacks we’ve faced. However, the greatest part of this story is what you don’t see,” said Boatmen General Manager Michael “Pinball” Clemons
“Mr. Kelly has led this team from the offseason back in the winter to a team that’s become a consistent winner. A competent voice, a leader by example, he’s raised the level of his peers and prioritized the team amidst his All-Star stats! He arrives early and stays late…Phenomenal! On top of all that, Chad is, and will continue to be, a pillar for us in the team’s commitment to the community and youth football development in Toronto.”
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. Then, 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.
After East Mississippi, 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.
