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Now-former Indianapolis Colts center Ryan Kelly spoke to Minnesota Vikings reporters for the first time since signing with the team as a free agent.
Among the questions Kelly answered was about his departure in free agency from the Colts.
"I think it was just time to move," Kelly said. "I think it was some frustrating times through certain years. Obviously, it's no surprise I've had 13 different quarterbacks since I've been there, so I always envisioned myself playing in one place for my entire career. There was no negative impact or major event that happened where it really pushed me over the edge. It was just, when I left last year and there was no guarantees in my contract -- I was a free agent -- it was exciting for me. I felt like I was okay. 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 the 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."
Over the last year now, it felt like the Colts and Kelly were heading towards a split. The 2024 season was the final year of his deal at that time and throughout the offseason and season, no real extension talks seemed to take place.
In addition to that, the Colts spent a fourth-round draft pick last April on Tanor Bortolini, an obvious replacement for Kelly at center.
Over the last three seasons, Kelly has the fourth-lowest pressure rate allowed among centers, according to PFF's metrics.
Last season in run-blocking grade, Kelly ranked 25th, although Jonathan Taylor did eclipse the 125-yard mark in Weeks 16-18 when Kelly returned to the lineup from injury. Prior to that, Taylor had only rushed for over 100 twice in the previous five games without Kelly.
Kelly was the 18th overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft by the Colts and has started 121 games in his career with Indianapolis. During his tenure with the Colts, Kelly has been a multi-time team captain, a four-time Pro Bowler, and an All-Pro in 2020.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Vikings' C Ryan Kelly on his departure from Colts in free agency
Continue reading...
Among the questions Kelly answered was about his departure in free agency from the Colts.
"I think it was just time to move," Kelly said. "I think it was some frustrating times through certain years. Obviously, it's no surprise I've had 13 different quarterbacks since I've been there, so I always envisioned myself playing in one place for my entire career. There was no negative impact or major event that happened where it really pushed me over the edge. It was just, when I left last year and there was no guarantees in my contract -- I was a free agent -- it was exciting for me. I felt like I was okay. 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 the 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."
Over the last year now, it felt like the Colts and Kelly were heading towards a split. The 2024 season was the final year of his deal at that time and throughout the offseason and season, no real extension talks seemed to take place.
In addition to that, the Colts spent a fourth-round draft pick last April on Tanor Bortolini, an obvious replacement for Kelly at center.
Over the last three seasons, Kelly has the fourth-lowest pressure rate allowed among centers, according to PFF's metrics.
Last season in run-blocking grade, Kelly ranked 25th, although Jonathan Taylor did eclipse the 125-yard mark in Weeks 16-18 when Kelly returned to the lineup from injury. Prior to that, Taylor had only rushed for over 100 twice in the previous five games without Kelly.
Kelly was the 18th overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft by the Colts and has started 121 games in his career with Indianapolis. During his tenure with the Colts, Kelly has been a multi-time team captain, a four-time Pro Bowler, and an All-Pro in 2020.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Vikings' C Ryan Kelly on his departure from Colts in free agency
Continue reading...
