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He signed a long-term contract extension to
remain in Indianapolis, the Colts announced Thursday. While
terms weren't revealed, multiple media outlets reported that
Kelly's extension is for four years and $50 million, including
$34 million guaranteed.
"I guess the one thing I've learned in this business is even if
you're the highest paid, you're going to be the highest paid for
it could be a week, it could be a year," Kelly said on a video
call. "Someone is going to jump you eventually.
"I'm sure when the first $30 million quarterback happened,
everybody was like, 'Ooh, holy crap.' But in my opinion, it's
about going out there every single day and doing my job. That's
honestly what I care about doing. You don't play the game for
free. You're going out there and putting your body on the line
every single Sunday. It's awesome."
According to reports, the extension kicks in next year after
Kelly completes his rookie deal in 2020, when he will receive
$10.35 million as his fifth-year option.
Kelly, 27, earned his first Pro Bowl appearance last year after
starting every game for just the second time in his four-year
NFL career. A first-round draft pick (18th overall) out of
Alabama in 2016, Kelly started all 16 games as a rookie, but he
was limited to a combined 19 games the next two years.
"I didn't want to go anywhere else, to be honest," he said. "I
never told anybody that besides my agent. I didn't want to go
play in Seattle, it's too far away. Indianapolis is two hours
from my house (in West Chester, Ohio). This would be awesome to
have my parents come and see all my games, my grandpa, all my
grandparents, aunts and uncles."
Kelly added, "Feels good to be rewarded. I want to live up to
the contract I signed. Go out every single day, be the leader on
the offensive line they I know I can be. Play with the
consistency I can play with and stay healthy. Those are the
things that drive me every single day."
--Field Level Media
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