GM Ryan Poles has mostly done a good job overhauling the Chicago Bears‘ roster. He’s found them studs at several key positions like edge rusher (Montez Sweat), cornerback (Tyrique Stevenson), wide receiver (D.J. Moore), offensive tackle (Darnell Wright), and linebacker (T.J. Edwards). However, every GM seems to have a blind spot. For Poles, it appears to be the center position. Since taking over, he has tried different solutions in the middle with Lucas Patrick, Dan Feeney, and now Coleman Shelton.
None of them have managed to stabilize the position. Brian Baldinger knows a lot about offensive line play. He played 147 games in the NFL as a tackle, guard, and center. He told CHGO Bears that no position determines the overall strength of your offensive line than the center. While Chicago may have solidified their edges with Wright and Braxton Jones, it won’t matter much if Caleb Williams keeps getting pressure in his face.
None of their primary solutions have been significant investments. Patrick and Shelton were cheap free agent additions, and Feeney was acquired for a sixth-round pick. Poles has not invested a high draft choice or significant money at center in three offseasons. Either that means he doesn’t view it as a position of high importance, or he hasn’t been able to secure somebody the team covets. It is worth mentioning the best center to come out of the 2022 and 2023 drafts, Tyler Linderbaum, went in the 1st round. Chicago didn’t have one that year. Joe Tippmann and John Michael Schmitz were possibilities last year, but neither has looked good so far.
Maybe the Chicago Bears will give Ryan Bates a look at center if Coleman Shelton keeps struggling over the next few weeks. Still, it feels like this is a situation Poles can’t ignore anymore. If he wants Williams to take a step forward as a young quarterback, he must solidify the interior protection. Nothing does that faster than securing a quality center. The Bears have three picks in the first two rounds next year. They could also target an established veteran like Ryan Kelly or Connor Williams in free agency.
