Goodbye Ryan Kelly from Colts fans

The longest tenured Colt of 2024 just agreed to terms with the Minnesota Vikings, ending his tenure with the only team he has known thus far in his pro career. Let’s look back on this staple of the Colts for the last near decade, and give thanks for all he has given to the Colts and the city of Indianapolis.

Ryan Kelly’s career started off at the end of an era. He was the final Round 1 pick of the Ryan Grigson tenure as GM in 2016, having been the long-sought after 1st Round Offensive Lineman pick that fans had clamored for years to protect franchise QB Andrew Luck.

The linemen who surrounded him in his first season?

Anthony Castonzo at Left Tackle, Jack Mewhort at Left Guard, Denzelle Goode at Right Guard/Right Tackle, Joe Haeg at Right Tackle/Right Guard, Joe Reitz at Right Tackle, and Jonathan Harris filling in at Left Guard when Mewhort was out.

After a promising rookie season stabilizing the Center spot for the Colts, the Alabama alum struggled with injury in his next 2 years. He missed 9 games with a foot injury and a concussion in 2017, which hampered his play that year, before missing 4 games with a MCL sprain in 2018. Despite this, by the end of 2018 he had flashed high upside play, ranking 10th among all Centers in PFF Blocking Grade. Kelly showed significant promise as a pass blocker, allowing just 12 pressures and 1 sack on the year for Andrew Luck’s final season. However, the best was yet to come for Kelly.

From 2019 to 2021, Ryan Kelly made 3 straight Pro Bowl appearances. He allowed just 63 pressures and 6 sacks in those years, despite snapping to 3 very different QBs in play style in Jacoby Brissett, Phillip Rivers, and Carson Wentz for the majority of that time. During this height of his career, Kelly signed a then-top of the market 4 year and $50 million dollar ($30 million guaranteed) extension, which he played on for the remainder of his Indianapolis career.

2022 was a down year from Kelly, as he dealt with adversity on and off the field. He allowed a career high 5 sacks, and the Colts offensive line was highly banged up and inconsistent due to injury. In December of 2021, Kelly and his wife Emma experienced tragedy, as their 1st born child Mary Kate, was stillborn. In a season where the Colts were being documented for HBO’s Hard Knocks, Colts fans were able to follow the couple during the pregnancy, adding to the level of heartbreak experienced in front of a national audience. Colts fans rallied behind the couple, offering Ryan and Emma love and support during the most trying of times.

The Kellys didn’t give up, not on their dreams for a family nor their dreams on the field. Emma and Ryan started IVF treatments, and eventually gave birth to twins Ford and Duke at 27 weeks. After extensive time in the NICU, Emma and Ryan welcomed their sons home. They were also surprised yet blessed to later discover they were expecting another baby shortly thereafter, a daughter named Stella. Throughout their journeys dealing with these challenges, the Kellys hosted numerous events and sponsored foundations like Count the Kicks aiming to help Hoosier families with prenatal education, care, and baby supplies. Their stories touched so many hearts, and the Kellys’ utilized their platform to help so many in Indiana.

On the field, Ryan Kelly enjoyed a return to form in 2023, getting back to Pro Bowl form and allowed just 7 pressures (career low) and 1 sack in 14 games, along with his highest PFF grades of his career. Under new Offensive Line coach Tony Sporano Jr., the entire offensive line had a huge bounce back in 2023.

Kelly continued his strong play in 2024 with just 11 pressures and 1 sack allowed, however injuries once again hurt his availability, with knee issues limiting him to just 10 games. With the Colts drafting a new promising rookie Center in Tanor Bortolini Jr in 2024., it appears the Colts are opting to go for a new and younger direction at Center in 2025.

After 9 years as a Colt, Ryan Kelly’s impact should not go under appreciated. The perennial team captain provided both stability and leadership to the Offensive Line. He ends his tenure in Indianapolis as the 2nd best Center in Colts history, behind only potential Hall of Famer Jeff Saturday. His impact on and off the field helped change so many lives for the better, and his family’s story has truly been an inspiration to entire communities.

Ryan Kelly now goes from one ‘polis to another, heading to Minneapolis to join the Vikings as their new starting Center. For the first time since a decade ago in Tuscaloosa, he is moving to an entirely new team. With a 2 year, $18.5 million deal, he will potentially finish his career in Minnesota. The soon to be 32 year old has built a strong legacy, and will look to add to it in the twilight of his career. We are all wishing the best for Ryan, Emma, Ford, Duke, and Stella Kelly in this next chapter of their lives as a family, and will continue to root for their success and happiness.

Minnesota, take good care of them.