Credit: Jenna Watson/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK
Ryan Kelly, the specific Viking under consideration, seems to covet quarterback stability.
A nine-year veteran, Kelly has seen quite a bit in his time in the NFL, but he has yet to have ongoing quarterback continuity. Indianapolis hasn’t had too much luck in the post-Peyton Manning days. Andrew Luck was the promised savior, but he shockingly stepped away from the game early in his career. Given his position, Kelly has been front and center within the QB turmoil.
Ryan Kelly, The Specific Viking, Wants QB Stability
The introductory press conference from Mr. Kelly was a good one.
The lineman’s scowl gives way to a dry sense of humor, thoughtfulness with his answers, and a sturdy confidence that emanates from being highly competent at his craft for nearly a decade. Within that discussion was a revelatory detail about the Colts’ quarterback rollercoaster.
Indianapolis Colts center Ryan Kelly (78) leaves the field Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, after defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars 26-23 in overtime at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
After noting that is was “time to move on” from the Colts, Kelly clarified the quarterback detail: “Obviously, it’s no surprise that I’ve had thirteen different quarterbacks since I’ve been there.”
When it comes to Ryan Kelly — and possibly Colts fans — the thirteen-quarterbacks detail could be old news. In Minnesota, however, the scale of the position turnover may arrive as a bit of a surprise. Just go back to 2016, Kelly’s debut season in the NFL. Luck was still the top passer but Scott Tolzien earned a start in that season.
Subsequent seasons exacerbated the issue. Names to come up include Jacoby Brissett, Brian Hoyer, Phillip Rivers, Carson Wentz, Matt Ryan, Sam Ehlinger, Nick Foles, Anthony Richardson, Gardner Minshew, and Joe Flacco. Kelly snapped the ball to ’em all.
The above list includes quarterbacks young and old. Andrew Luck went No. 1 overall, Carson Wentz went No. 2 overall, and Anthony Richardson went No. 4 overall. Players like Phillip Rivers, Matt Ryan, and Joe Flacco — all of whom were 1st-Round selections — were well-established veterans who had accomplished much by the time they arrived in Indianapolis, but none proved to be a yearly solution.
Indianapolis Colts guard Will Fries (75) and center Ryan Kelly (78) enter the field before the game against New Orleans, Sunday., Oct 29, 2023, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis
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The upside, as Kelly goes on to explain, is that he will be able to adjust to J.J. McCarthy. Working alongside so many different passers has made him uniquely-qualified to work with one more; adjusting to new passers happens to be among Kelly’s most important bits of work experience.
And, to be sure, Ryan Kelly likely wants to work with just one more.
Drafted at No. 18 back in 2016, Kelly has assembled a nice NFL career. He has been to the Pro Bowl four times and been a second-team All Pro. Working against him was playing in a league that boasted Jason Kelce, someone who was greedy for All-Pro nominations and who will one day be in the Hall of Fame. Nevertheless, we’re considering a very good C1, someone who appears to be more than worth the two-year, $18 million investment.
To the delight of Vikings fans — and, quite possibly, Ryan Kelly — J.J. McCarthy is earning the snaps in practice with the team’s new center. The hope from basically everyone affiliated with the organization is that the Kelly/McCarthy twosome ends up being a productive pair in 2025.
If things go really well, there could even be some C/QB continuity for the next few seasons.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference and Over the Cap helped with this piece.
K. Joudry is the Senior Editor for Vikings Territory and PurplePTSD. He has been covering the Vikings full time since the summer of 2021. He can be found on Twitter and Bluesky (@VikingsGazette). If you feel so inclined, subscribe to his Substack, The Vikings Gazette, for more great Vikings content.