In the coming weeks, we will be taking a closer look at each of the Indianapolis Colts’ unrestricted free agents and making a prediction as to whether or not they will return for the 2025 season.
Up next, let’s take a look at center Ryan Kelly. If you’ve missed any of our other free agency predictions, you can find them below.
Will Fries
Julian Blackmon
Grant Stuard
Kelly has spent his entire career with the Colts up to this point. A 2016 first-round selection, Kelly has been a four-time Pro Bowler and a team captain during his time in Indianapolis.
This past season, Kelly was limited to just 10 games due to injuries, including an IR stint.
When on the field, he again provided a steady presence in the middle of the Colts’ offensive line. He finished the season 10th among all centers in pass-block win rate, according to ESPN, and running back Jonathan Taylor averaged 5.0 yards per carry when running behind the center position this season.
However, it does appear that Kelly’s time with the Colts is nearing an end. Perhaps most telling, is that over the last year, even with Kelly making it known he wants to return to Indianapolis, extension talks never really materialized.
Adding to that speculation, the Colts also used a fourth round draft pick on Tanor Bortolini, who filled in fairly well at center when Kelly was out last season.
According to PFF’s metrics–while the sample sizes were different–Bortolini ranked 15th in pass-blocking efficiency and 22nd in run-blocking grade. Kelly, meanwhile, was 19th and 25, respectively, in those same categories.
With the Colts having quite a few positions they could justify adding to this offseason, including potentially having to pay Will Fries at right guard, center may end up being a position where Chris Ballard opts to go with the younger and more team-friendly deal in Bortolini.
Prediction: Kelly signs elsewhere
