BB.Vikings’ $18M Starter Facing Harsh Reality: Lingering Health Issues Could Force Retirement
Minnesota Vikings’ star center Ryan Kelly stands at a pivotal crossroads in his 10th NFL season, grappling with a sobering reality: his body may be signaling it’s time to walk away. Signed to a two-year, $18 million contract as part of the team’s aggressive offensive line overhaul this offseason, Kelly’s future in football is clouded by a troubling string of concussions, including his second in three games during a Week 4 clash against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
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Kelly’s history with head injuries is alarming. Since the 2023 season, the 32-year-old has been diagnosed with five concussions, and by his own estimate, he’s endured seven or eight over his career. The mounting toll of these injuries has sparked widespread concern among Vikings fans, analysts, and even the team’s head coach, Kevin O’Connell, as the veteran center faces mounting pressure to prioritize his long-term health over his love for the game.
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Drafted 18th overall by the Indianapolis Colts in 2016, Kelly quickly established himself as one of the NFL’s premier centers, earning four Pro Bowl nods, including one in 2023 despite missing time due to concussions. His first documented concussion came in 2017, sidelining him for five games. However, the frequency of these injuries has escalated in recent years, with two concussions in 2023 alone and now two more in the early weeks of the 2025 season.
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After sustaining his second concussion of 2023, Kelly spoke candidly about the toll of the sport. “It’s a violent game, and you’ve been playing it for a long time. Things add up,” he said. “You can replace a knee, you can replace a hip. You’re not replacing your brain.” His words reflect a growing awareness of the long-term risks associated with repeated head trauma, including the specter of dementia and other neurological issues that have plagued many retired NFL players.
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The latest concussion, suffered against the Steelers, prompted an emotional plea from Purple Insider’s Matthew Coller on his postgame show. “Retire,” Coller urged. “This has got to be it. One of the best players of the decade. Phenomenal center… Incredibly smart dude, incredibly impressive person. Every person you talk to loves Ryan Kelly. Retire.” Coller’s impassioned words echo a sentiment shared by many who have watched Kelly’s brilliance on the field but fear for his future off it.
Kelly himself has acknowledged the gravity of his situation. In December 2023, while still with the Colts, he reflected on his health after another concussion. “You become 30, and you start thinking about things,” he said. “If it’s between playing football and, when I’m 60, having dementia and all these things you see that can come from playing football, of course I’m going to look after myself and my family.” His comments reveal a man wrestling with the physical and emotional cost of a sport that has defined much of his life.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell addressed Kelly’s situation with the utmost seriousness in his postgame press conference following the Steelers loss. “The health of our players is always the beginning, the end, and the middle of that conversation,” O’Connell said. “We’ll defer to the doctors and the protocol, and we’ll make sure Ryan’s in a good place. That’s not something I ever want to mess around with, so we’ll be smart.”
O’Connell’s comments underscore the NFL’s evolving approach to player safety, particularly regarding head injuries. The league’s concussion protocol, designed to protect players, will dictate Kelly’s immediate future, but the bigger question looms: can he continue to play without jeopardizing his long-term well-being?
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Kelly’s contributions to the game are undeniable. A cornerstone of the offensive line, his intelligence, leadership, and skill have earned him respect from teammates, coaches, and opponents alike. Yet, the $18 million contract that brought him to Minnesota now feels like a secondary concern compared to the price he may pay for continuing his career.
“It certainly puts a seed of doubt in your mind,” Kelly admitted after his second concussion in 2023. “I’ll try to play the game as long as I can. I’ll go out there and give everything I’ve got. If ultimately I have more concussions, I’ll make a decision then.” That decision may be closer than ever.
