Center Ryan Kelly left the Indianapolis Colts after nine seasons with the team to join the Minnesota Vikings for the 2025 NFL season. The veteran former teammate of quarterback Anthony Richardson was not shy in explaining the reasons behind his departure.
Kelly’s departure marked the end of an important era for the Colts, as he was an experienced player who had played 121 games with the Indianapolis franchise. Even owner Jim Irsay sent a statement of gratitude for all of his years with the team.
Richardson will play his third year as a professional and loses an experienced teammate as he faces the new season. Additionally, the presence of Daniel Jones as a competitor for the starting quarterback position presents a major challenge for him heading into 2025. This situation highlights the changes within the Colts’ roster, and Kelly feels comfortable saying goodbye.
Kelly’s admission after leaving the Colts
“It was time for me to maybe check out what else is out there and move on and have a new perspective in this career. So, yeah, I can’t say there’s a specific event. I’ll miss the guys in the O-line room and I’ll miss a bunch of people there. But, in my heart, I just knew it was time to move on and I kind of felt that way over the last year and a half,” Kelly said in an interview with Stephen Holder of ESPN.com.
Kelly signed a two-year, $18 million contract with the Vikings for the upcoming season. The 31-year-old center was a first-round pick by Indianapolis in the 2016 NFL Draft, earning four Pro Bowl selections during his time with the team.
Kelly is not the only former Colt who joined the Vikings in the offseason
The veteran new player of the Vikings protected Richardson on the offensive line, and his departure represents a loss of experience and leadership in protecting the young quarterback. Adding to his exit is that of another guard, Will Fries, who also arrived in Minnesota from the Colts.