The Los Angeles Rams have been one of the most active teams at the start of NFL free agency, having already signed All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams to a two-year contract and brought back Jimmy Garoppolo on a one-year deal.
The Rams are now focused on filling the other holes on their roster, including the offensive line. The group was solid last season but the team could stand to add some depth to the interior, particularly at center after trading Jonah Jackson to the Chicago Bears.
According to ESPN’s Courtney Cronin, the Rams are closing in on a deal with former Bears center Coleman Shelton:
I’m hearing the Rams are closing in on adding center Coleman Shelton, who started 17 games for Chicago in 2024. Shelton spent the first 5 years of his career with Los Angeles.
The deal, which is now down, is for two years and up to $12 million, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network:
Rams signing OL Coleman Shelton to two-year deal worth $12 million with $9 million guaranteed, per @TomPelissero https://t.co/z6tJy5Jl7B pic.twitter.com/bX5NkClkyG
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) March 13, 2025
The signing marks a reunion as Shelton spent the first five seasons of his career in L.A. before signing a one-year contract with the Bears last offseason.
Shelton made 17 starts for Chicago in 2024 and posted a modest 66.4 PFF grade, which ranked 19th out of 64 players at center.
Shelton now returns to the team that he began his NFL career with in 2019. The Pasadena, Calif., native became a starter during the 2022 season and went on to appear in 30 of a possible 34 games for the Rams over the next two years.
Shelton will likely compete with Beaux Limmer to be the team’s starting center in 2025. While Shelton has experience, it is reasonable to think Limmer has the inside track to the job given how well he played last year. If Limmer starts then Shelton would be able to provide the Rams some depth at all three interior offensive line positions.
Rams release Cooper Kupp
After doing some heavy lifting in free agency, the Rams shifted their focus to finding a new home for Cooper Kupp.
The Rams were unlikely to trade him though, so they ended up releasing the franchise icon, allowing him to hit free agency.
