After missing 16 games over the past two seasons due to injuries, former Pro Bowl center Ryan Kelly has decided to retire from the NFL.

Kelly announced Friday that he is stepping away from football after a 10-season career in the league. During his time in the NFL, he played in 129 games, earned four Pro Bowl selections and received one All-Pro honor while primarily playing for the Indianapolis Colts.

In a message announcing his retirement, Kelly reflected on his career and expressed gratitude to those who supported him along the way.

“10 seasons. What an incredible ride it was. 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 wrote.

Kelly’s NFL Career

Kelly entered the NFL in 2016 after a standout college career at the University of Alabama. The Indianapolis Colts selected him with the 18th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, and he quickly became the team’s starting center.

He started all 16 games as a rookie and soon established himself as a key piece of the Colts’ offensive line, helping protect the quarterback and anchor the running game.

Over the following seasons, Kelly developed into one of the league’s top centers. His performance earned him multiple Pro Bowl selections, and in 2020 he signed a major contract extension that briefly made him the highest-paid center in the NFL.

Kelly spent nine seasons with the Colts, starting more than 120 games and serving as a veteran leader on the offensive line. Known for his intelligence, communication and pass-protection skills, he built a reputation as one of the most dependable interior linemen in the league.

After the 2024 season, Kelly left Indianapolis in free agency and signed a two-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings in 2025, marking the first team change of his professional career.

Now, after more than a decade in the NFL, Kelly steps away from the game as one of the most consistent centers of his generation.