Center Ryan Kelly, after nine seasons with the Colts, will explore what is available in the free-agent market.
INDIANAPOLIS — Ryan Kelly is heading into uncharted waters: Free agency.
The long-time anchor of the Indianapolis Colts’ offensive line plans to test his value on the NFL’s veteran free-agent market, which opens March 12.
“Never been a free agent,’’ Kelly said Saturday, “so I’m excited to see what’s out there.’’
The likely end to Kelly’s nine-year relationship with the Colts doesn’t come as a surprise. The 2016 first-round draft pick always has had intentions of playing at least a 10th season, but Indy hasn’t shown an interest in retaining him.
Kelly, who turns 32 in May, said agent Jimmy Sexton will be active in gauging interest in a center who was second-team All-Pro in 2020 and has been selected to four Pro Bowls, the most recent in 2023. He’s started 121 regular-season games since being selected with the 18th overall pick in ’16.
“My plan is to see what’s out there on the market,’’ Kelly said. “Indy can always match it.
“I’ll miss it, if that’s it. It was a good run for nine years.’’
Kelly can be somewhat selective with his relocation. He’s earned approximately $70.45 million from the Colts in nine years, according to Overthecap.com, so joining a playoff-caliber team could be the deciding factor.
When general manager Chris Ballard invested more than $150 million in guarantees for extensions or new contracts for several prominent Colts last offseason, Kelly was disappointed he wasn’t included.
“I want to stay here,’’ he said last April. “It’s the last year of my contract, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want another one, you know what I mean?
“We’ll see what happens.’’
Not only did the Colts not offer Kelly an extension, they selected his eventual successor — Wisconsin’s Tanor Bortolini — in the fourth round of the April draft.
If Kelly’s time in Indy is indeed over, he’ll draw a degree of satisfaction from going out on a positive personal note.
Although the Colts finished last season 8-9 and missed the playoffs for a fourth consecutive year, they closed with a 26-23 overtime win against Jacksonville at Lucas Oil Stadium.
It was one last opportunity for Kelly to jog out of the tunnel and play alongside guards Quenton Nelson and Mark Glowinski.
Afterwards in the locker room, emotions flowed.
“If I’m part of the team going forward, great,’’ Kelly said, his voice cracking. “If not, it was an honor to wear the horseshoe.
“There’s a finality to it. The fact that Glow and Q and me get to play together another time is special.’’
He stressed his appreciation for owner Jim Irsay and his family.
“That family just means so much to me,’’ Kelly said. “They’ve been here for us through so much.’’
That support was never more evident and necessary than when Kelly and wife Emma lost infant daughter Mary Kate in December 2021.
“You won’t find an owner who’s more passionate about his players,’’ Kelly said. “I just can’t be more thankful to be drafted here nine years ago. Two hours from home (West Chester, Ohio).
“Through the ups and downs, there’s not another place I’d rather be. Indy will always be home. I love this horseshoe, man. It’s been an honor to represent it the right way.’’
Kelly missed seven starts last season with a neck injury and after knee surgery. He also missed three games in 2023 with concussions but started 62 of a possible 66 games from 2019-22.
According to Pro Football Focus, Kelly earned a 67.0 grade last season, 12th among centers. That included a 71.9 grade in pass protection, 5th-best at his position.
After experiencing a career-low 56.9 grade in 2021, Kelly improved to 64.3 in ’22 and a career-best 77.2 in ’23, which was his final Pro Bowl selection.
