Colts ‘have not really’ had contract extension talks with Ryan Kelly, who’d like to remain in Indy

There haven’t really been any ongoing contract extension talks with Pro Bowl center Ryan Kelly, who reiterates he’d like to remain with the Colts going forward.

While DeForest Buckner was recently re-signed, the Indianapolis Colts have not really had any current contract extension negotiations with another looming 2025 free agent, veteran Pro Bowler Ryan Kelly—who’d like to remain with the Horseshoe (via The Herald Bulletin’s George Bremer):

Now, just because the Colts haven’t had much open dialogue yet with Kelly regarding a contract extension at this time, doesn’t mean they eventually won’t or can’t.

Given his importance to their defense as its catalyst, it’s quite possible that prioritizing Buckner was their #1 action item regarding veteran extension candidates and by locking him up, the Colts can now turn their attention to other upcoming key free agents—including Kelly.

Since being drafted by the Colts in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft, Kelly has consistently been one of the better centers in football as an NFL All-Pro and 4x Pro Bowler. It makes sense that he may want to finish his career at the only NFL home he’s ever had (with 111 career starts, and counting).

After roughly two years of declining production, perhaps at least partially attributable to lingering injuries, Kelly had a renaissance season for the Colts last year.

Having started 14 games for the Colts in 2023, Kelly was ranked as PFF’s 8th best center with a +77.2 overall grade—having allowed just a sack and 7 total QB pressures during 534 total pass blocking snaps. His ESPN pass block win rate of 94% was 20th best among all interior offensive lineman (*offensive guards included).

The Colts have one of the league’s highest paid offensive lines, with Quenton Nelson, Braden Smith, and Kelly all currently on lucrative deals. The team may also have to start planning for a Bernhard Raimann (*2026 UFA) contract extension at left tackle.

That being said, Kelly has been a veteran leader and regained his prior Pro Bowl form as of late, meaning the Colts should have interest in bringing him back on a shorter multi-year deal.

It wouldn’t be surprising with his football age and recent concussion history, if they want to see him play out his current contract though before re-signing him to a short-term extension.