{"id":798937,"date":"2026-03-07T18:49:26","date_gmt":"2026-03-07T18:49:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/798937\/"},"modified":"2026-03-07T18:49:26","modified_gmt":"2026-03-07T18:49:26","slug":"nfl-veteran-ryan-kelly-retires-at-32-after-series-of-concussions-on-same-week-fellow-center-drew-dalman-bowed-out-over-health-fears","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/798937\/","title":{"rendered":"NFL veteran Ryan Kelly retires at 32 after series of concussions… on same week fellow center Drew Dalman bowed out over health fears"},"content":{"rendered":"

By JAKE FENNER, US SPORTS WRITER<\/a> <\/p>\n

Published: 07:18 EST, 7 March 2026 | Updated: 07:23 EST, 7 March 2026 <\/p>\n

Veteran NFL center Ryan Kelly has retired after 10 seasons in the league.<\/p>\n

His retirement was announced by the Minnesota<\/a> Vikings, a squad he only suited up with for eight games this past season due to a series of concussions.<\/p>\n

Kelly joined the Vikings last offseason in free agency after previously playing for the Indianapolis Colts<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Alabama<\/a> product was placed in concussion protocol three times last season and had six documented concussions across his NFL career, which likely factored into his decision.<\/p>\n

‘What an incredible ride it was. I was blessed to be around some of the greatest people this sport has to offer,’ Kelly posted on social media.\u00a0<\/p>\n

‘I always wanted to leave each place better than how I found it and with that I can hang my hat. Forever grateful for my family and brothers!’<\/p>\n

\"Minnesota <\/p>\n

Minnesota Vikings center Ryan Kelly has announced his retirement after 10 years in the NFL<\/p>\n

\"Kelly, <\/p>\n

Kelly, who previously played for the Colts, was in concussion protocol three times in 2025<\/p>\n

\"His <\/p>\n

His retirement comes days after Bears center Drew Dalman also retired due to health concerns<\/p>\n

Kelly was a first round pick by Indianapolis in the 2016 NFL Draft.<\/p>\n

He appeared in 129 career regular season games and was named to four Pro Bowls.<\/p>\n

By retiring, the Vikings will clear over $8.3million in cap space.<\/p>\n

Kelly is the second center to retire this week over health concerns. Drew Dalman, who played for the division-rival Chicago Bears this season, also called it a career.<\/p>\n

Dalman reportedly retired after just five seasons in the league amid fears over the physical damage a long career in the NFL can bring.<\/p>\n

The Bears already lined up his replacement – sending a fifth-round pick to the New England Patriots for center Garrett Bradbury.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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