Cleveland Browns work out two former Ole Miss QBs among others

The Cleveland Browns worked out six players including former Ole Miss quarterback Chad Kelly, according to NBC Sports. Kelly is one of two quarterbacks to get the invite, the other being fellow Jordan Ta’amu, another former Rebel.

Linebacker Dylan Coe, receivers Jonathan Johnson and Darvin Kidsy, and defensive back T.J. Morrison are the other four potential Browns.

Kelly played two seasons with Ole Miss after spending his first year at Clemson. The Denver Broncos selected him with the infamous “Mr. Irrelevant” pick No. 253 in the 2017 draft. He spent two seasons in Denver and the past two with the Indianapolis Colts before being cut in September.

Kelly is the nephew of Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly. He also tried out for the Bills and Packers earlier this year.

Ta’amu spent two years with the Rebels after transferring from New Mexico Military Institute. He went undrafted in 2019 and started for the St. Louis Battlehawks of the XFL in 2020, but his contract was terminated after the league suspended operations in April. He signed with the Kansas City Chiefs but was cut in May.

Ta’amu has also been on practice squads in Las Vegas, Houston and Detroit.

Cleveland already has its No. 1 and No. 2 spots on the depth chart solidified. Baker Mayfield quarterbacked the Browns to their first playoff appearance since 2002 this past season. Nine-year NFL veteran Case Keenum spent the year as his backup and is slated to do so again in 2021.

The Browns also have former Richmond quarterback Kyle Lauletta in camp/

Both Kelly and Ta’amu have a chance to be the third-string signal caller, should Cleveland decide to keep that many. Kelly certainly offers the most experience and name recognition of the two. His NFL career was set back after he was charged with criminal trespassing in 2018. The Broncos waived him and the league suspended him for two games in 2019.

This being his third work out before the season, can he finally break back into the league?

The motivation for Ta’amu is also clear. He was undrafted and seemed to be doing well in the XFL prior to the league’s halt. Now he has an opportunity to play football on the highest stage, albeit in a small role.

Although the hail from the same college, the quarterbacks have different styles of play. Kelly is a pocket passer while Ta’amu presents a bit more mobility and is a rhythm thrower.

Either way, it seems the Browns are intrigued by the quarterbacks the Rebels have produced recently, a compliment to the program.

Photo courtesy of Andy Altenburger/Icon Sportswire.