2025 "as of now" Key Free Agent Centers

[HearshotKDS]

With the Superbowl over now there is nothing left to distract fans from the Bears best part of the season: the offseason. One of the key area's the Bears need to improve in this offseason is their interior Offensive Line - specifically the C. Probably not a shock to anyone who has paid attention, but perhaps a shock to those who dont is the Bears currently only have 2 guys under contract for 2025:

* Ryan Bates - Bates was one of the most disappointing "players" on the OL last season which is actually impressive given the strong competition of disappointing linemen the Bears had. Key points are he barely played because he has career threatening degenerative shoulder arthritis. Assuming the radical stem cell surgery doesnt work you can probably write Bates off from playing meaningful snaps again which is good because he has $0 dead money left on his contract. Very likely cut candidate.

* Ricky Stromberg - 3rd round pick in 2023 that barely played due to injury. The good news is while he missed a dozen games due to a knee injury, he didnt need significant surgery to fix the issue/he only had a scope. The bad news may be he didnt get significant surgery because it wouldnt have fixed his issue? I dont know im not doctor. He's a "buy low" gamble for the Bears that after camp couldearn the backup C job, I guess well see in June/July.

* Theo Benedet/Chris Glazer - Camp bodies/not real NFL players.

And thats it! Bears will have to do a ton of acquisitions on the iOL for both starters and depth. Lets take a look at some of the options available in FA:

Starting Centers available as of 2/10

Drew Dalman - 26 year old starting C for ATL - they cant afford to keep him out of the market due to the Cousins contract. He is supposedly a better run blocker than pass blocker, however I didnt watch a ton of ATL football so no idea if this is true. Speilman predicts him to get a multi-year contract at about $12M a pop.

Ryan Kelly - 32 year old starting C for IND - IND has the money to extend Kelly but maybe they decide to draft his replacement this year. Or maybe he retires. PFF says he is one of the better Cs in the passing game but no one watches Colts football so I have no idea if this is true or not. Brad predicts 1-2 year contract at about $9M a pop.

Coleman Shelton - 29 year old starting C for CHI - this is the guy we are trying to upgrade. Not much to add about Shelton beyond he started very poorly but finished the season better. He seemed to have the speed needed to block LBers at the 2nd level but looked out of this league bad when asked to handle pretty much any DT by himself. Probably a decent backup (granted with no real upside to improve anymore) but not someone you want to start if you can avoid it, Spielman says he gets 2 years $5M a pop.

Bradley Bozeman - 30 year old starting C for LAC - Chargers have a ton of cap space if they want to bring him back. I didnt watch a ton of Chargers football but he graded fairly poorly, not sure hes the upgrade fans want at C. OvertheCap values him at $4-5M a pop.

Josh Myers - 26 Year old starting C for GB - Packers have enough space to comfortably bring him back if they want - he was their 2nd round pick in 2021 and they probably do unless they want to upgrade the position. I watched multiple packers games and he never looked like an issue, but I have a ton of distrust for GB OL keeping up their performance after leaving GB. OTC values him at $3-4M a pop.

BACK UP CENTERS

Tristan Colon - A 27 Year old back up C and G for BLT and ARI, PFF likes him but who the hell watches Cardinals football - no idea if hes any good.

Liam Eichenberg - A 27 year old starting G/C who took over when Connor Williams went down. PFF hates him, but he was a 2nd round pick in 2021 - no idea what level of play he can give at C.

Shane Lemieux - 27 Year old backup C for NO. NO is perpetually in cap hell and this is someone who probably does hit the market, OTC values him at a min contract.

So estemeed colleagues and internet experts of CCS, any key Free Agents at C that I missed in the above? People who actually watched some of these guys play, thoughts on the quality of player? Given the Bears likely look to avoid starting 2 rookies next to eachother on the line and the almost certainty that one of the starting Gs will be a rookie next year, I think it is very likely the Bears go into the Center market determined to find a starter.

 

[Xplosive]

Dalman was better than I expected upon watching him play. He is the best option imo.

Ryan Kelly looks very stiff and a bit gimpy, I would consider him a short term transitional option to help guide a rookie replacement.

 

[BaBaBlacksheep]

Dalman and Kelly have injury issues and can’t stay healthy. Shelton has no issues there. This needs to be considered when discussing centers

 

[gallagher]

So the Bears need two centers and it is slim pickings.

Personally, the only reason I think it makes sense Shelton back is if Caleb Williams felt like they had good chemistry at the snap. If not, he isn't a bad backup plan if they can't nab another FA, but I would hope they find better. I would hope that they bring in Dalman and draft someone to freshen up the talent pool.

 

[DefNextYear]

Honestly, I'm probably pouring money at guard and sticking with Shelton. If we get two higher end guards, Shelton will naturally look better. It'll bridge the gap while we find a longer term solution.

 

[hyatt151]

With the Superbowl over now there is nothing left to distract fans from the Bears best part of the season: the offseason. One of the key area's the Bears need to improve in this offseason is their interior Offensive Line - specifically the C. Probably not a shock to anyone who has paid attention, but perhaps a shock to those who dont is the Bears currently only have 2 guys under contract for 2025:

* Ryan Bates - Bates was one of the most disappointing "players" on the OL last season which is actually impressive given the strong competition of disappointing linemen the Bears had. Key points are he barely played because he has career threatening degenerative shoulder arthritis. Assuming the radical stem cell surgery doesnt work you can probably write Bates off from playing meaningful snaps again which is good because he has $0 dead money left on his contract. Very likely cut candidate.

* Ricky Stromberg - 3rd round pick in 2023 that barely played due to injury. The good news is while he missed a dozen games due to a knee injury, he didnt need significant surgery to fix the issue/he only had a scope. The bad news may be he didnt get significant surgery because it wouldnt have fixed his issue? I dont know im not doctor. He's a "buy low" gamble for the Bears that after camp couldearn the backup C job, I guess well see in June/July.

* Theo Benedet/Chris Glazer - Camp bodies/not real NFL players.

And thats it! Bears will have to do a ton of acquisitions on the iOL for both starters and depth. Lets take a look at some of the options available in FA:

Starting Centers available as of 2/10

Drew Dalman - 26 year old starting C for ATL - they cant afford to keep him out of the market due to the Cousins contract. He is supposedly a better run blocker than pass blocker, however I didnt watch a ton of ATL football so no idea if this is true. Speilman predicts him to get a multi-year contract at about $12M a pop.

Ryan Kelly - 32 year old starting C for IND - IND has the money to extend Kelly but maybe they decide to draft his replacement this year. Or maybe he retires. PFF says he is one of the better Cs in the passing game but no one watches Colts football so I have no idea if this is true or not. Brad predicts 1-2 year contract at about $9M a pop.

Coleman Shelton - 29 year old starting C for CHI - this is the guy we are trying to upgrade. Not much to add about Shelton beyond he started very poorly but finished the season better. He seemed to have the speed needed to block LBers at the 2nd level but looked out of this league bad when asked to handle pretty much any DT by himself. Probably a decent backup (granted with no real upside to improve anymore) but not someone you want to start if you can avoid it, Spielman says he gets 2 years $5M a pop.

Bradley Bozeman - 30 year old starting C for LAC - Chargers have a ton of cap space if they want to bring him back. I didnt watch a ton of Chargers football but he graded fairly poorly, not sure hes the upgrade fans want at C. OvertheCap values him at $4-5M a pop.

Josh Myers - 26 Year old starting C for GB - Packers have enough space to comfortably bring him back if they want - he was their 2nd round pick in 2021 and they probably do unless they want to upgrade the position. I watched multiple packers games and he never looked like an issue, but I have a ton of distrust for GB OL keeping up their performance after leaving GB. OTC values him at $3-4M a pop.

BACK UP CENTERS

Tristan Colon - A 27 Year old back up C and G for BLT and ARI, PFF likes him but who the hell watches Cardinals football - no idea if hes any good.

Liam Eichenberg - A 27 year old starting G/C who took over when Connor Williams went down. PFF hates him, but he was a 2nd round pick in 2021 - no idea what level of play he can give at C.

Shane Lemieux - 27 Year old backup C for NO. NO is perpetually in cap hell and this is someone who probably does hit the market, OTC values him at a min contract.

So estemeed colleagues and internet experts of CCS, any key Free Agents at C that I missed in the above? People who actually watched some of these guys play, thoughts on the quality of player? Given the Bears likely look to avoid starting 2 rookies next to eachother on the line and the almost certainty that one of the starting Gs will be a rookie next year, I think it is very likely the Bears go into the Center market determined to find a starter.

I would have to think most if not all of CCS knows that Dalman is the only center worth a shit

 

[HearshotKDS]

Dalman and Kelly have injury issues and can’t stay healthy. Shelton has no issues there. This needs to be considered when discussing centers

Good call should have put a section aboutthat in the post

 

[Xplosive]

Honestly, I'm probably pouring money at guard and sticking with Shelton. If we get two higher end guards, Shelton will naturally look better. It'll bridge the gap while we find a longer term solution.

Hmmm.... at first glance it sounds terrible but actually it does make sense. Then again I can say the same for keeping Ryan Bates instead if they truly think his shoulder is now healed.

That makes getting a Center early in the draft more of a requirement however.

 

[DefNextYear]

Hmmm.... at first glance it sounds terrible but actually it does make sense. Then again I can say the same for keeping Ryan Bates instead if they truly think his shoulder is now healed.

That makes getting a Center early in the draft more of a requirement however.

I won't claim to love the idea, but there just aren't a ton of options available. I just like that Shelton at least stays on the field and I can rely that he'll be on the field (even if he's maybe slightly below average at his job). No standout centers right now in the draft, but I'd still just pick the best of the bunch as a successor and hope we picked right. I'm sure some future starters are in this draft. Poles just has to identify them. Shelton can just be a placeholder until that person has developed.

 

[hyatt151]

Hmmm.... at first glance it sounds terrible but actually it does make sense. Then again I can say the same for keeping Ryan Bates instead if they truly think his shoulder is now healed.

That makes getting a Center early in the draft more of a requirement however.

this draft is DL heavy, the OT's all project as IOL, which is why the bears would be better off drafting a DE or DT WITH THE 10TH pick, plenty of IOL will be available in the 2nd and 3rd, take care of center in FA

 

[Xplosive]

this draft is DL heavy, the OT's all project as IOL, which is why the bears would be better off drafting a DE or DT WITH THE 10TH pick, plenty of IOL will be available in the 2nd and 3rd, take care of center in FA

Sorry when I said grab a center "early" I meant around round 3... Will Campbell/Kevin Banks jr/Justin Simmons.... Are all worthy options to play LT at #10

I would not object to either of them over a DE/DT which there will be plenty of options for in round 2

 

[zabavka]

Poles and free agent OLINE is like oil and water.

Better build it through the draft

 

[DefNextYear]

this draft is DL heavy, the OT's all project as IOL, which is why the bears would be better off drafting a DE or DT WITH THE 10TH pick, plenty of IOL will be available in the 2nd and 3rd, take care of center in FA

You're mostly right, but I'd just add that starting a rookie guard is unlikely to be better than anything the Bears started last year (wild, I know). A good example is 2022 when 3 guards were taken in the first and the teams probably regret the decision in all 3 cases. Tyler Smith, a converted tackle, did do a good job though... but a converted tackle like Skoronski has not lived up to his pick. Or you could get someone like Cody Mauch or Matthew Bergeron who had a very rough first year... but figures it out in year 2. The main point here is the holes should be filled with more reliable veterans and rookies can be picked to develop behind them.

 

[zabavka]

Name a successful FA O lineman Poles has brought in.

I'll wait for the answer....

 

[Enasic]

Name a successful FA O lineman Poles has brought in.

I'll wait for the answer....

He’s never paid for a really good OL player. The most he spent in FA was a mid-range-ish deal on Davis. The answers to the tests are out in the open this year and the pressure to get the OL figured out are at an all time high. Between Trey smith, dalman, zeitler, scherff, Stanley, mekari, becton…I could keep going….its not exactly rocket science and considering BJ is the HC now , I’d be shocked if the bears don’t sign 2 legitimate starters in FA. They’re going to legitimately invest in the OL for once.

 

[hyatt151]

You're mostly right, but I'd just add that starting a rookie guard is unlikely to be better than anything the Bears started last year (wild, I know). A good example is 2022 when 3 guards were taken in the first and the teams probably regret the decision in all 3 cases. Tyler Smith, a converted tackle, did do a good job though... but a converted tackle like Skoronski has not lived up to his pick. Or you could get someone like Cody Mauch or Matthew Bergeron who had a very rough first year... but figures it out in year 2. The main point here is the holes should be filled with more reliable veterans and rookies can be picked to develop behind them.

figuring it out in year 2 is what you want, bears won't be a division or playoff contender this year anyway, no matter what they do

 

[DefNextYear]

figuring it out in year 2 is what you want, bears won't be a division or playoff contender this year anyway, no matter what they do

Well, if anyone has a magic ball to predict that, fine. But my guess is that you couldn’t guarantee it. I just showed you how guards can be really underwhelming where the entire first round busts. Rookie linemen have to be drafted as backups or you’re running the risk of ruining another year of team development. You don’t give up the most sacks in the league and then downgrade further. The good thing is that it’s easy to just sign a veteran… which is what they’re going to do.

 

[hyatt151]

Sorry when I said grab a center "early" I meant around round 3... Will Campbell/Kevin Banks jr/Justin Simmons.... Are all worthy options to play LT at #10

I would not object to either of them over a DE/DT which there will be plenty of options for in round 2

sorry X, there might not be a center worthy of picking in this entire draft

Poles and free agent OLINE is like oil and water.

Better build it through the draft

that is something that everyone should be able to agree on

 

[--CyBear--]

Stromberg should be healthy now and I don't hate the idea. Deserved his 3rd round selection in 2023 but difficult to know what he's got. Supposedly smart with a lot of short field dynamism but less good moving backwards.

 

[DanielCCSBears]

* Ryan Bates - Bates was one of the most disappointing "players" on the OL last season which is actually impressive given the strong competition of disappointing linemen the Bears had. Key points are he barely played because he has career threatening degenerative shoulder arthritis.

Yet another massive mistake by the Bears medical staff and a fantastic hoodwink job by the Bills.

Chris Williams Kevin White Teven Jenkins Kiran Amegadjie and Ryan Bates I know there's others I've missed that have had misdiagnosed injury problems that crop up that have caused significant problems as well.