These 3 longtime Colts players may have to prove they belong in Indy beyond this season

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 13: Kenny Moore II #23 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates after a sack during the second quarter of the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 13: Kenny Moore II #23 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates after a sack during the second quarter of the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images) /
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Colts, Ryan Kelly
Indianapolis Colts center Ryan Kelly (78) warms up Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022, before a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. /

2. Center Ryan Kelly

Like Kenny Moore, moving on from Kelly would be tough but could happen because of his on-the-field play as of late. To cut Kelly some slack, he has seen a different starting QB each season since he was drafted. As that collectively affects an entire team, being the first line of defense is the center’s job, and building continuity with a QB is especially difficult when you have to relearn the cadences and nuances of the guy you’re snapping the ball to year in and year out.

Even despite that, Kelly has netted three consecutive Pro Bowl nods from 2019 to 2021, as well as an All-Pro second-team nod in 2020. Even though nowadays, most will argue Pro Bowls have become a popularity contest rather than a true dictation of skill amongst the league, three consecutive Pro Bowl nods is nothing to scoff at.

The biggest issue in moving on from Ryan Kelly would be his contract. Via Spotrac, Kelly is the fourth-most expensive center in the NFL and as he has two years left on his contract, his cap hit will increase from $9.75 million in 2022 to $14.625 million in 2024. Kelly has posted the 25th-best Player Grade among all qualifying Centers, and that certainly isn’t on par with his contract.

Parting ways with Kelly would almost have to be via trade, and a viable return in GM Chris Ballard’s eyes may not be on the table. If moving on from Kelly were to be deemed necessary by the Colts’ front office, regardless if Ballard is the man in charge, accepting defeat with said contract and player may net an underwhelming return, but that’d be a risk they’re willing to take.