What Ryan Kelly Brings to the Table for the Vikings

How the veteran center could impact the Vikings’ offense

One of the Minnesota Vikings’ first moves in free agency was the acquisition of center Ryan Kelly, a nine-year veteran formerly with the Indianapolis Colts. The deal is a 2-year contract for $18 million ($9 million AAV), with $9.25 million guaranteed. That gives him the 7th highest AAV contract among centers in the league. His previous contract made him the highest paid center in the league.

The move was a bit of a surprise, given first-round pick Garrett Bradbury on the roster, but Bradbury has continually struggled as a pass protector since he was drafted and last season led the league in pressures allowed among starting centers.

The Vikings’ interior offensive line has been the weak spot of their offense for many years now and now that they don’t have a big financial commitment at quarterback, they’re able to direct some of that salary cap savings toward bolstering the offensive line. That started with acquiring center Ryan Kelly.

Ryan Kelly’s Background

Kelly played his college football at Alabama, where his success rate (snaps when he successfully completed his assignment) was over 99% in both his junior and senior years. He was named first-team All-SEC his senior year (2015), won the Rimington trophy for best center, was a consensus All-American, and won the CFP National Championship with Alabama that year as well.

Kelly was drafted 18th overall in 2016 with a 9.54 RAS by the Indianapolis Colts. Over his nine seasons with the Colts:

• He was named to the Pro Bowl four times (2019-21, 2023)
• Received second-team All-Pro in 2020
• Named team captain in 2023 and 2024
• Coming off his rookie contract in 2020, his new veteran contract made him the highest paid center in the league at the time.
• Achieved a career 98.2 PFF pass blocking efficiency grade, tied for 7th best among active centers with Frank Ragnow.
• Has never allowed more than 19 quarterback pressures in a season.
• Only one season when he allowed more than 2 sacks.
• In 2024, he had the 4th highest PFF Pass Protection Win Rate among centers, winning 147 of 152 (96.6%) pass blocking snaps, not including RPOs, screens, and spikes.
• Has been middle-of-the-pack and more varied as a run blocker, both year-to-year and between gap and zone scheme PFF grades but has graded similarly in both schemes over his career. Last season he graded better on gap scheme runs. In terms of run blocking PFF grade, Kelly has generally ranged from the mid 60s to mid 70s, which is average to above average.

Injury History

Kelly, who turns 32 at the end of May, has missed 24 games over his nine-season pro career due to injury.

• In 2024, he missed two games due to a neck injury and five following knee surgery.
• In 2023, he missed three games due to a concussion.
• In 2022, he played the full season. -...