Eagles reunite with veteran OT they drafted 11 years ago

Kelly was originally a fifth-round selection for Philadelphia coming out of Purdue in 2012, starting 10 of 13 appearances as a rookie. The following season, Kelly didn’t make any appearances, though, while 2014 only saw him make three appearances (all starts). Despite the lack of playing time, the Eagles signed Kelly to a one-year extension of his rookie contract prior to the 2015 season, keeping him under contract through the 2016 campaign. He started two games in 14 appearances that year, subsequently earning a second one-year extension through the 2017 season.

Before either of those extensions could be played out, the Eagles traded Kelly to Tennessee for wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham. Kelly made an immediate impact in Nashville, starting six games while playing in all 16. He often was used as a sixth man on the offensive line in running situations. His useful role on the Titans earned him yet another extension, this one a two-year deal.

Kelly continued in a swing tackle role over the next few years for the Titans, notably backing up tackles Taylor Lewan and Jack Conklin, who consistently provided Kelly starting opportunities here and there for various reasons. When Conklin signed a big-money deal with the Cleveland Browns, Tennessee made sure to lock up his replacement, inking Kelly to a new three-year, $17.25M deal. This provided the then-eight-year veteran with his first opportunity as a full-time starter. Unfortunately, despite the new deal meant to keep him under contract through 2022, the Titans released Kelly shortly after his first season starting every game of the year.

A free agent for the first time in his career, Kelly then signed with the Green Bay Packers. After playing in 10 games – and starting four in place of an injured Billy Turner – Kelly signed with the Colts to end his second free-agent stint. After failing to make the initial 53-man roster and being signed to the practice squad, Kelly still appeared in all but one game for the Colts last season, starting three contests.

His third stint in free agency will take him back to Philadelphia, where he will now serve as tackle depth for the organization that drafted him. The Eagles’ starting tackles are in place with Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata, but past that pair, there isn’t a ton of experienced, qualified depth on roster. Kelly immediately provides just that for the 2023 season. He should be able to continue his career-role as a swing tackle with spot-starting and special teams abilities.