Ryan Kelly has been rewarded for his sensational play. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Colts make Ryan Kelly highest-paid center in NFL

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 9/3/20

The Indianapolis Colts confirmed on Thursday that the club has agreed to a contract extension with center and 2016 first-round pick Ryan Kelly. Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the four-year extension makes Kelly the highest-paid center in the league:

Colts are signing former 2016 first-round pick Ryan Kelly to a 4-year, $50 million extension that includes $34 million guaranteed, source tells ESPN. It makes him the highest-paid center in the league and ties him to Indianapolis for the next five seasons.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 3, 2020

The 27-year-old, who is now set to spend the next five seasons with Indianapolis, became a lineup mainstay his rookie year, but injury setbacks cost him nine games in 2017 and four contests in 2018.

Kelly started for the Colts in September 2019 and remained on the field throughout the campaign en route to earning his first Pro Bowl nod. Per the team's official website, Pro Football Focus gave Kelly the sixth-highest grade among centers for the season.

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