Nine-year veteran center Ryan Kelly signed a new contract with the Minnesota Vikings. Kelly, a former first-round pick and four-time Pro Bowl selection, spent the entirety of his career with the Indianapolis Colts.
Ryan Kelly, Minnesota Vikings, Agree to Contract
The 2024 season was a disappointing one for Ryan Kelly and the Indianapolis Colts. While the center played well when on the field, the veteran suffered a knee injury in early November that sidelined him for a decent portion of the season. While he eventually returned to the field, it was too little, too late for the Colts playoff chances. The team fell behind in the standings and had their fate sealed with a Week 17 loss to Drew Lock and the New York Giants.
Ryan Kelly originally entered the NFL as a first-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. Selected by the Indianapolis Colts, the Alabama product immediately earned a starting job snapping the ball to then-quarterback Andrew Luck. While he started all 16 games as a rookie, injuries limited him to just 19 games over the next two seasons. While he struggled to stay on the field, the Colts decided to activate the fifth-year option on his contract.
This proved to be a wise move, as Kelly responded with the best seasons of his career. From 2019 to 2021, the Alabama product made three consecutive Pro Bowls while providing a steadying presence in the middle of the offensive line for Jacoby Brissett, Philip Rivers, and Carson Wentz. After the team as a whole disappointed in 2022, Kelly returned to the Pro Bowl in 2023 while helping lead the team to an unexpected playoff birth.
Since signing his rookie contract, Ryan Kelly has started and appeared in 120 games. While on the field, he has made four Pro Bowl teams and earned Second-Team All-Pro honors for him impressive work in the 2020 season.
Main Photo: Christine Tannous – USA Today Sports
