EAGAN, Minn. — Center Ryan Kelly on Friday announced he is retiring after 10 NFL seasons, including 2025 with the Minnesota Vikings.
Kelly posted the following on X:
He added more on Instagram, noting how much he appreciated the relationships he developed during his career:
10 seasons. I gave this game everything I had but it gave me more than I could've ever asked for in return. You cannot replicate an NFL building and the people that make it so special. After a decade of playing this game, I realize that the relationships you make along the way are what you hang your hat on. I've been blessed to be a part of two incredible organizations.
Organizations that want to see you succeed on the field but celebrate the growth of your life off just as much. Indianapolis and Minneapolis will forever hold a special place in our family's hearts, as well as the fans who have supported us through the years. Some of the greatest people we've ever met. I was blessed to be in buildings with some of the finest coaches, trainers, strength staff and support staff this game has to offer, and I'm forever grateful for our time together. The locker room was always my favorite place. Insane hypotheticals, religion, music etc. you name it, and we talked about it. If the world would spend time in one, we'd all be better off for it. What always brought me back year after year were the guys. I've met lifelong friends and took something from everybody along the way. My career wouldn't have been possible without the love and support of my family. My favorite moment of each Sunday was walking off the field, looking up and finding my family in the stands. They're the ones who have celebrated and supported me at the highest and lowest moments. Mom, Dad and Mike, I will eternally be grateful for the endless sacrifice to come support me through the years. I'll forever miss coming to the sideline in warm-ups and hearing 'Dada' as my kids' superhero scoops them up. Lastly, as I look back on my career, the one person who I owe more to than anybody is @byemmakelly. She has been my #1 fan since the day we met and has my back unequivocally. You won't meet a more loyal and loving woman. I love you more than anything in the world. I hope I left this game and the places I've been better than when I found it. I won't miss the show, but I'll sure as hell miss the characters.
— 78
Originally a first-round pick (18th overall) by the Indianapolis Colts in 2016, Kelly joined the Vikings last March.
Minnesota envisioned Kelly's talent and experience at the pivot as an incredible resource as the team prepared for J.J. McCarthy's first season as a starting quarterback.
The plan made sense, with Minnesota adding a four-time Pro Bowler with 121 career regular-season starts to the fold, but it didn't come to full fruition.
Kelly, who played well when available, was limited to eight starts for the Vikings because of multiple placements in concussion protocol last season. His availability was part of Minnesota using 26 different combinations across five offensive line positions.
Kelly's first concussion sidelined him early during Minnesota's Week 2 home opener against Atlanta. He returned to action in Week 4 against Pittsburgh in Dublin but was then sidelined until Week 12 at Green Bay.
After helping McCarthy and the Vikings top Washington 31-0 at home in Week 14 and win 34-26 at Dallas, Kelly left Minnesota's game at the New York Giants early and ended the season on Injured Reserve.
Minnesota started Michael Jurgens, a 2024 seventh-round pick, in three games (Cincinnati in Week 3 and Blake Brandel, a 2020 sixth-round selection, in six games (Week 5 against Cleveland in London and Weeks 7-11) at center. Those were the first reps at center at any level for Brandel, who also made starts at left guard and right tackle during the 2025 season.
