Bears address their biggest need on the offensive line with a potential starter in free agency
The Chicago Bears have finally addressed a major position of need in free agency to help sure up the offensive line in 2024. According to Brad Biggs of The Chicago Tribune, the Bears are expected to sign center Coleman Shelton to a one-year contract. Biggs noted that Shelton will compete for the starting job with […]
The Chicago Bears have finally addressed a major position of need in free agency to help sure up the offensive line in 2024.
According to Brad Biggs of The Chicago Tribune, the Bears are expected to sign center Coleman Shelton to a one-year contract.
Biggs noted that Shelton will compete for the starting job with recently acquired offensive lineman Ryan Bates, although given his experience, it seems to be Shelton's job to lose.
Shelton started all 17 games for the Los Angeles Rams in 2023, the first season of his career he started each regular season game. According to Pro Football Focus, Shelton had a 72.6 run blocking grade but a 48.9 pass blocking grade in 2023. During the season, he allowed two sacks and 34 pressures (tied for the most among all centers).
The 28-year-old also started all 13 games he played with the Rams in 2022 but missed four games due to a high ankle sprain suffered in the middle of the season. In 2021, Shelton started two regular season games for the Rams and played 13 percent of the team's special teams snaps in the Super Bowl LVI win against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Shelton was signed as an undrafted free agent by the San Fransisco 49ers in 2018 and joined the Rams in 2019. Shelton crossed paths in Los Angeles with new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, who served as the Rams' passing game coordinator from 2018-2020 on head coach Sean McVay's coaching staff.
Regardless of how the competition at center shakes out between Shelton and Bates, the Bears seemingly have all of their starting offensive linemen locked in for 2024. Braxton Jones (barring any other additions) will start at left tackle, Teven Jenkins at left guard, Shelton/Bates at center, Nate Davis/Matt Pryor at right guard, and Darnell Wright at right tackle.
Chicago Bears 2024 free agency tracker for all new signings, re-signings and trade updates
Here’s which players the Bears have brought into Chicago.
