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Ryan Kelly Retires After 10 NFL Seasons as Vikings Gain $8.4 Million in Cap Space

The 32-year-old retires following a 2025 season of multiple concussions, creating $8.4 million in Vikings cap relief.

Overview

  • Kelly announced his retirement Friday in a post on X, concluding a decade-long NFL career.
  • The four-time Pro Bowl center spent nine seasons with the Colts and started 129 career games, earning second-team All-Pro honors in 2020.
  • In 2025 with Minnesota, he sustained three concussions, went on injured reserve after Weeks 2 and 4, returned in Week 12 with a new helmet and a Guardian Cap, then suffered another concussion in Week 16.
  • His retirement opens about $8.4 million in 2026 salary-cap space for the Vikings, who entered the offseason roughly $43 million over the cap, according to ESPN.
  • Minnesota now must find a new starting center, with Michael Jurgens and Blake Brandel in-house candidates while external options in free agency or the draft are also possible.