Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay had something to say about Ryan Kelly on Wednesday. The former Alabama All-American has started every game at center for the NFL team when healthy since joining the Colts in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft.
But on Wednesday, the Minnesota Vikings announced they had reached an agreement with Kelly that will bring him to the team as an NFL free agent.
“It’s been an honor to watch Ryan represent the Horseshoe,” Irsay wrote on social media, “and he will forever be a part of the Colts family. Ryan is the only center our franchise has ever selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, and he developed into an All-Pro and Pro Bowl player over nine seasons. As great as he was on the field, Ryan, along with his wife, Emma, made just as big of an impact off the field. They’ve used their platform to advocate for families and bring awareness to Count the Kicks and Concerns of Police Survivors in addition to other community initiatives. Their courage, strength and resilience have been an inspiration to so many. We will always have a special place in our hearts for Ryan, Emma, Mary Kate, Ford, Duke and Stella Kelly.”
The Kellys lost their daughter Mary Kate to a miscarriage during the 2021 season. But they turned their pain into advocacy for improved prenatal health care.
Kelly also shared a message on social media on Wednesday.
“Thank you, Indy,” Kelly wrote. “Nine years of memories with people and players I’ll forever call family. I loved every year I got to play in this city and for this organization. Forever a special place in mine and my family’s heart.”
Kelly is coming to the Vikings for a two-year, $18 million contract that includes $9 million in guaranteed money.
Kelly joined Indianapolis from Alabama’s 2015 CFP national-championship team as the 18th selection in the 2016 NFL Draft. He was a unanimous All-American and the winner of the Rimington Trophy as the nation’s best center in 2015.
Kelly has started all 121 regular-season and three playoff games in which he has played across his nine NFL seasons. Kelly earned Pro Bowl recognition in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2023.
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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X at @AMarkG1.