Former Raider Kelly Agrees to Ram Deal

Free-agent linebacker Joe Kelly agreed to a one-year $500,000 contract with the Rams on Wednesday, his agent, Steve Feldman, said.

Kelly, cut by the Raiders three weeks ago despite being the starting middle linebacker, chose the Rams’ offer over one from the Washington Redskins.

“The decision came down to Joe’s relationship with (Ram linebacker coach) Dick Selcer,” Feldman said. “Dick was the linebackers coach at Cincinnati when Joe was drafted there.”

Kelly, second on the Raiders in tackles last season with 103, probably will be a backup to Shane Conlan at middle linebacker and Roman Phifer and Henry Rolling at outside linebacker.