Oakland Raiders 2004 season After being signed in 2004 by the
Oakland Raiders as an
undrafted rookie free agent, Tommy Kelly alternated between
3–4 DE and
4–3 DT. In the very few plays that he saw action, he was able to rack up four sacks, including 3 weeks in a row from week 7 through week 9.
2005 season In 2005, the Raiders moved away from the 3–4 defense, with Kelly finding a spot as the RE. In week 9 alone, Kelly racked up a total of 3 quarterback sacks—reaching Kansas City veteran
Trent Green. In each instance, Kelly had lined up as a DT rather than the RE that he had been playing as previously in the year. By the end of the season, Kelly had a total of 4.5 sacks.
2006 season Tommy Kelly appeared in all sixteen games and had a total of 3.5 sacks.
2007 season Kelly played in 7 games in 2007, recording 30 tackles and 1 sack before suffering a season ending knee injury while playing against the
Tennessee Titans. He was placed on
injured reserve by the
Oakland Raiders on October 31, 2007.
2008 season On February 28, 2008, the
Oakland Raiders signed Kelly to the largest contract ever given to a defensive tackle on the eve of free agency. Kelly, a defensive end moving to defensive tackle in 2008, signed a seven-year, $50.5 million contract with $18.125 million in guarantees and $25.125 million in the first three years. Kelly can play every spot on the
defensive line, but he replaced the retired
Warren Sapp at the three technique for the
2008 NFL season. On September 14, 2008, Kelly was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence. Kelly finished the 2008 season with 55 tackles (31 solo) and 4.5 sacks matching his career high set in 2005.
2009 season Kelly finished the season with just 55 tackles again (37 solo) and a career low 1 sack. At the end of the season, Kelly had 60 tackles and 7 sacks and was named as an alternate for the 2010 Pro Bowl.
2011 season On opening day of the
2011 NFL season, still at right defensive tackle next to
Richard Seymour, he recorded 2 tackles and a sack as the Raiders defeated the
Denver Broncos. In week 10, he recorded 3 tackles, a game-ending sack and a forced fumble as the Raiders beat the
San Diego Chargers. The next week, when the Raiders won against the
Minnesota Vikings, he recorded 3 tackles, two sacks and an interception off of a deflected pass. On March 27, 2013, Kelly was released from the
Oakland Raiders making him a free agent.
New England Patriots On April 8, 2013, Kelly agreed to a two-year deal with the
New England Patriots. Defensive tackle Tommy Kelly was placed on injured reserve following Week 8 of the
2013 NFL season which ended his season. The Patriots released Kelly on August 24, 2014.
Arizona Cardinals Kelly signed with the
Arizona Cardinals on August 27, 2014. He retired prior to the beginning of the 2015 season.
Career statistics ==Coaching career==