Ryan Kelly return?

[MaroonBells]

I think you want to put your best players out there. I don't know why you would want to do anything else. 

What's more, we all just kind of assume that Kelly was contemplating retirement, and maybe that is what he should do from a life-after-football perspective. But for all we know, that could be the furthest thing from his mind. It could be that he's a little pissed off about being placed on IR and he's itching to get back out there. 

It's good we now know we have a capable backup center (actually a player who can play all five positions), who may be our long-term answer there. But if Kelly's healthy and he wants to keep playing, you play him.

[Bunsen82]

I am firmly of the opinion with 5 concussions I would call it quits. It's why I felt he had no business being on the field 2 weeks after his 4th concussion. That being said if he is cleared through concussion protocol, and he wants to continue to play - you utilize him. Either as the backup center and give him another week or two to reacclimate, or back as the starting C.

[JimmyinSD]

I think getting Brandel more reps at C to determine if he is the future of the position, is just as important as getting JJM back in there at QB, we need to know what we have in these younger players. This year is about figuring things out to be able to make a real run in 26 and 27, center is just as big a Q mark as any IMO and I doubt Kelly is part of that future with the concussions he has had this year.

[Zanary]

That's gonna be a tough call, but I always default to the people that see the practices, the locker room chemistry, the preparedness of the Vikings on a day-to-day basis.

I can second-guess KAM, KOC, or anyone in there all I want...I have much less information.

I figure that we'll get a hint on Wednesday, in any case.

[greediron]

I think getting Brandel more reps at C to determine if he is the future of the position, is just as important as getting JJM back in there at QB,  we need to know what we have in these younger players.  This year is about figuring things out to be able to make a real run in 26 and 27,  center is just as big a Q mark as any IMO and I doubt Kelly is part of that future with the concussions he has had this year.

I think you go back to the vet IMO.  He was paid big bucks to fill that role for a reason.  Brandel has future there, next offseason and as backup the rest of this year.  Don't forget Brandel is the first backup at guard as well.  

I think the experience of Kelly means they go back to him.

[MaroonBells]

I think getting Brandel more reps at C to determine if he is the future of the position, is just as important as getting JJM back in there at QB,  we need to know what we have in these younger players.  This year is about figuring things out to be able to make a real run in 26 and 27,  center is just as big a Q mark as any IMO and I doubt Kelly is part of that future with the concussions he has had this year.

I wouldn't call it "just as important." And while you might think the Vikings' only shot at a run is a year or two away, I can guarantee you teams this talented don't think that way. If the Vikings were winless, or even 2-6, maybe so, but this is a .500 team that just got its starting QB back and is starting to get healthy on both sides of the ball. 

To suggest that this team should play lesser players in an attempt to prep them for '26 or '27 is a batshit-level kind of crazy to me. Good luck getting that one past Justin Jefferson, Darrisaw, Greenard, etc.

[JimmyinSD]

I think you go back to the vet IMO.  He was paid big bucks to fill that role for a reason.  Brandel has future there, next offseason and as backup the rest of this year.  Don't forget Brandel is the first backup at guard as well.  

I think the experience of Kelly means they go back to him.

and they likely will,  I just think continuity across the front and building for the future is more important than getting a vet in there that might make a couple more blocks over brandel this year.  I am not seeing the huge upside for this season vs the potential downsides for the next few years.

[Kentis]

   
At least fit him w/ one of these…

[JimmyinSD]

At least fit him w/ one of these…

i know health is more important.... but damn I might retire before I wore one of those goofy ass things.  especially the packers,  but we are used to seeing those dumb asses with foam on their heads.

[MaroonBells]

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#Vikings C Ryan Kelly will begin working off the side at practice this week, per KOC. No update on Kelly’s status, as Kevin O’Connell put it.