Starting Center: Bates vs Coleman
The center spot was a sore spot for the Chicago Bears last season. Cody Whitehair and Lucas Patrick dealt with injuries throughout the 2023 season. Even when they were healthy enough to play, they struggled. Poles saw a need for change at the position.
Poles traded for Ryan Bates. He is high on Bates. In 2022, he signed the restricted free agent. However, the Buffalo Bills matched the offer sheet. This offseason, Poles used a draft pick to pull Bates out of Buffalo and it worked. Now Bates is in a battle for the center job.
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Bates’ opponent is Coleman Shelton. Shelton signed as a free agent. He spent his five-year career with the Los Angeles Rams. New Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Shane Waldron was with the Rams when Shelton was there so Shelton could have a good grasp on Waldron’s offensive system.
In Bates, Poles has a similar player to Patrick. Bates is more of a guard who played some center. Patrick was also a guard who was pressed into action at center with the Green Bay Packers. Conversely, Shelton has played center his entire career.
It could be that Shelton has the inside track at center but there are reports that the Chicago Bears are eyeing Bates for center. Both are strong players with good footwork. Williams can feel comfortable with either man snapping him the ball.
Having more experience at center could be the key. Bates has not played center in two years. Shelton plays exclusively at center. Having that experience could be great for Williams.
However, could there be a surprise on the horizon? There are reports that the Chicago Bears might consider bringing in Connor Williams. Williams was with the Miami Dolphins last season and did a good job there. He was one of the top centers in the league until he suffered an injury late in the season
If Williams shows he is over his injury, he could get a shot with the Chicago Bears, He is the most talented center of the three. He could do wonders for the quarterback’s development.
The Chicago Bears could have other ideas as well. There is doubt on both sides of the guard spots. Teven Jenkins is talented but he has trouble staying healthy. He has been on injured reserve every season so far. On the other side, there is concern about Nate Davis. He struggled with injury and a personal matter last season. The Chicago Bears thought that he’d be clear after this offseason but he did not show up for OTAs and did not participate in veteran minicamp.
That means Shelton and Bates could move over and help at both guard spots, and WIlliams could take over at center. We shall see what Poles does soon.
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