"A quarterback of the offensive line" Coleman Shelton and the Center Position
With the Chicago Bears are gearing up for the 2024 NFL season, and one of the most intriguing storylines is the competition at center. Two newcomers, Coleman Shelton and Ryan Bates, are vying for the starting role. While both men have their own strengths and weaknesses, they bring to the position I’m going to go over why Coleman Shelton is the better choice in the long run for the team. To look forward we must first look back to the 2023 season.
The center position is pivotal in any offensive line, serving as the anchor that provides stability and makes crucial line calls. For the Bears, the 2023 season was marred by inconsistency and injuries at this critical spot. The team struggled to find a reliable starter, leading to a revolving door of players attempting to fill the role.
Cody Whitehair, a veteran and former Pro Bowler, started the season as the Bears' center. However, Whitehair’s season was disrupted by injuries, limiting his effectiveness and availability. His performance was also inconsistent, with issues in snapping accuracy and blocking assignments that further hampered the offensive line's cohesion. The injuries forced the Bears to shuffle their offensive line with the likes of Lucas Patrick and Dan Feeney taking snaps at center, creating further instability.
The instability at center had a cascading effect on the Bears' offense. The offensive line struggled to protect Fields, who often found himself under pressure. This pressure not only led to sacks but also disrupted the timing of the passing game, additionally the Bears' run game, which had been a cornerstone of their offensive strategy, suffered due to the poor performance at center. The inability to consistently create running lanes and maintain effective blocking schemes hindered the production of the team's running backs. This inefficiency made the offense one-dimensional and easier for opposing defenses to predict and stop.
With the addition of Caleb Williams with the number one overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft the Chicago Bears' General Manager Ryan Poles understood that for the team to truly succeed, they needed a reliable and experienced center who could provide leadership and stability to the offensive line. On March 14th, 2024 the Bears made the signing official of veteran center Coleman Shelton. Shelton, who had spent the previous seasons with the Los Angeles Rams, brought a wealth of experience and versatility to the Bears that they were woefully lacking over the last few seasons.
Coleman Shelton went undrafted in 2018 before signing with the San Franciso 49ers and then with the Arizona Cardinals, before latching on to the Los Angeles Rams in 2019 playing games at Guard, Tackle and finally settling in at the starting center position in the 2022 season. In 2023 Shelton suited up for all 17 games the Rams played including one playoff game vs the Detroit Lions, Shelton ended the year with the following stats:
2023 Stats
6 penalties
2 sacks allowed
3 hits
34 pressures
11 hurries
PFF graded Shelton as the 7th best center in the NFL out of centers with over 1100 snaps as well as 5th in run blocking.
While not an elite level center Shelton’s arrival was aimed at providing an immediate upgrade at the center position. Known for his excellent snapping accuracy, strong blocking techniques, and ability to make quick reads and adjustments at the line of scrimmage, Shelton was seen as the perfect fit to anchor the Bears' offensive line. His experience in a Super Bowl-winning team also added a layer of championship pedigree to the roster.
In the passing game, Shelton’s ability to maintain a strong base and use his hands effectively allows him to anchor against powerful interior defenders. His quick and accurate snaps ensure a smooth transition for the quarterback, minimizing the risk of botched plays. Additionally, his adeptness at recognizing and adjusting to blitzes and stunts contributes to the overall protection of Caleb Williams.
In the running game, Shelton’s ability to generate movement at the point of attack is crucial. His leverage, balance, and footwork enable him to create running lanes and sustain blocks, allowing running backs to find space and gain yardage. His proficiency in executing various blocking schemes, whether it be zone or power, adds another layer of complexity to the Bears' running game.
The Chicago Bears’ issues at the center position in the 2023 season were a significant factor in their struggles. Injuries and inconsistency led to a lack of stability and cohesion on the offensive line, impacting the entire offense. However, the team’s focused efforts to address these issues in the offseason, including the signing of Coleman Shelton and the development of young talent, have positioned them for a much-improved performance in the 2024 season.
While the competition is still ongoing with Ryan Bates (who we will speak on later) with a stabilized center position, the Bears will be poised to see significant improvements in both their passing and running games. The leadership and experience of Shelton set him above his counterpart Bates, combined with the promise of their young draftees, the Bears’ have a solid foundation for success, as they look to rebound from a challenging season and make a push for the playoffs, the moves they have made to address the center position could be the key to their resurgence.
It must be made known that the Center position still isn’t a for-gone conclusion, we still need to dive into Ryan Bates as well as seeing how the two fair in the upcoming training camp. In my humble opinion I see Coleman Shelton as the sure-fire lock for the starting spot given a complete meltdown in terms of play on the field. We here at SwiftSports.net will continue to monitor this situation as it unfolds in the coming weeks and keep you updated, until then “Bear Down, Claws up.”
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