Minnesota Vikings s center Ryan Kelly announced his retirement on social media after 10 seasons.
“What an incredible ride it was,” Kelly wrote on X. “I was blessed to be around some of the greatest people this sport has to offer. I always wanted to leave each place better than how I found it, and with that, I can hang my hat. Forever grateful for my family and brothers! Cheers.”
Kelly signed a two-year, $18 million contract with the Vikings last season. His retirement will help the Vikings save money, especially after the team already released Jonathan Allen, Javon Hargrave, and Aaron Jones and restructured contracts for Justin Jefferson, Christian Darrisaw, and Byron Murphy.
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Kelly’s season ended last year on injured reserve after suffering a concussion. The 32-year-old center also missed time earlier in the season due to a concussion and has a history of concussions dating back to his time with the Indianapolis Colts. Despite his injuries, Kelly remained efficient, finishing with an 82.2 PFF offensive grade.
Before joining the Vikings, Kelly spent his first nine seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, where he earned four Pro Bowls and a second-team All-Pro in 2020. Drafted in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft out of the University of Alabama, Kelly was the last first-round pick selected by former Colts general manager Ryan Grigson.
Before his NFL career, Kelly was a two-time BCS national champion, winning the CFP national championship. He also won the Rimington Trophy, Jacobs Blocking Trophy, was a first-team All-SEC selection, and a consensus All-American in 2015.
Kelly’s retirement marks him as the latest center to retire in the past two off-seasons. Los Angeles Chargers center Bradley Bozeman and Chicago Bears center Drew Dalman have also announced their retirements recently. Like Kelly, Bozeman still had a year remaining on his deal, while Dalman, who is coming off his first Pro Bowl season, had two years left on his three-year, $42 million contract. Dalman was only 27 years old.
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Former Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow surprisingly retired last June after seven seasons. Ragnow suffered multiple injuries late in his career. Ragnow attempted to come back to the Lions towards the end of the season before failing a physical.
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