Indianapolis Colts make former Alabama OL Ryan Kelly NFL’s highest-paid center

Center is far from football’s most glamorous position, but when you play the position well, you get noticed by the people in the front office. Ryan Kelly is now the league’s highest-paid center with the extension he has agreed to with the Indianapolis Colts.

The former Alabama offensive lineman agreed to a four-year deal reportedly worth $50 million, with $34 million of that guaranteed. The Colts now have Kelly under contract for the next five seasons.

Kelly played at Alabama from 2011-15. In his final season, Kelly won multiple individual awards (Jacobs Blocking Trophy, Rimington Trophy) and received unanimous All-American recognition as a standout on Alabama’s national championship squad.

The Colts selected Kelly with the No. 18 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. He received a Pro Bowl invite last season.

Colts are signing former 2016 first-round pick Ryan Kelly to a 4-year, $50 million extension that includes $34 million guaranteed, source tells ESPN. It makes him the highest-paid center in the league and ties him to Indianapolis for the next five seasons.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 3, 2020

Andrew Olson

Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.