The Indianapolis Colts used this offseason to make sure they filled up several of the holes on the roster, making some big moves during free agency and adding talented rookies via the 2020 NFL Draft. But the work is never done for Chris Ballard and Co. during the offseason.
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As we enter the months of June and July, the Colts will begin focusing on their next steps in preparation for the 2020 season. There are still moves to be made before the season gets here, and ESPN’s Bill Barnwell listed what is left to do for Indy.
What’s left to do: Re-sign Ryan Kelly. Indy’s excellent center is approaching free agency, and while injuries have been a concern, this team should keep its offensive line together by locking up the last first-round pick of the Ryan Grigson era. Kelly could become the first center in football to top $12 million per season on a multiyear deal.
Playing on the fifth-year option of his rookie deal, Kelly is set to be a free agent when the 2020 season is over. That is unless the two sides come to a contract agreement.
Kelly is an above-average center in the league and when healthy, he approaches the upper echelon at the position. Despite a two-year span dealing with some injuries, Kelly bounced back in 2019 to prove he can still be a reliable anchor in the middle of the offensive line.
It would be wise for the Colts to get Kelly under contract for the next few years. They have the cap room to do so. Centers like him don’t come around too often and rarely do they wind up hitting the free agent market.
There are some housekeeping moves that Ballard and the front office have to make this offseason, but getting Kelly and extension should be at the top of the list.
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