The Indianapolis Colts will exercise their fifth-year option on the contract for Ryan Kelly, according to general manager Chris Ballard (via Pro Football Talk). The team has until May 3 to make it official, but considering how important Kelly has been, it’s a no-brainer for the team.

Kelly –the number 18 overall pick in 2016 — has been one of the better centers in the league when he has played, so the Colts will have no problem locking him up for at least one more year. While Kelly is one of the best centers, he has had a history of injuries, missing nine games in 2017 thanks to a broken foot, and four last year due to nerve problems.

Still, the team is much better with him than without him, so look for the Colts to work out an extension for Kelly, either during the season or shortly after it. Finding talented offensive linemen like Kelly isn't exactly easy. Considering how poor the Colts' offensive line has looked at times, the organization knows above all other teams how important the unit is.

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GM Chris Ballard in the middle, Jared Verse, Troy Franklin, Jaden Hicks around him, and Indianapolis Colts wallpaper in the background

Enzo Flojo ·

Despite missing four games, Ryan Kelly was named a Pro Bowl alternate last year, and the Colts' offensive line shined as a unit, allowing just 18 sacks, the lowest total in the NFL. This season, the Colts will try to make the leap into the elite of the AFC, with a fully healthy Andrew Luck and a bevy of new draft picks joining a team that shocked many last year by making the playoffs.