Notes from Thursday’s Training Camp session via The Athletic:
Ryan Bates and
Coleman Shelton have been rotating at center with Williams and the first-string offense since camp opened. If the rotation continues, Shelton will snap to Williams on Friday after Bates played center Thursday. It’s one of the few true positional competitions for the Bears in camp.
“All we’re doing is getting each other better,” Shelton said. “I’ve been in a lot of competitions since I’ve been in the
NFL, and the way I see it is you’re only competing against yourself. You’re trying to be the best version of yourself you can be, and the guy you’re competing with, you’re just pushing each other to do better. Whatever we do, whoever we become, whatever happens is for the betterment of a team. And that’s why we’re here.”
Bates was “here” first. He was acquired from the
Buffalo Bills for a fifth-round pick March 4. Shelton was signed to a one-year contract March 14.
Shelton, though, has more experience than Bates at center. He was the Los Angeles Rams’ starter for the past two seasons after going undrafted out of Washington and being a reserve for his first three years. Bates was a backup guard last year in Buffalo.
Also, Bears offensive coordinator Shane Waldron was the Rams’ passing game coordinator during Shelton’s first two seasons in the NFL. That connection factored into free agency.
”It pulls you towards it because it’s something you know and it’s something you’ve been around,” Shelton said. “You’re like, ‘Oh, OK, I know this offense. I fit this offense.’ So, it’s definitely something that drew me to come to Chicago, absolutely.”
Earning a starting role is nothing new for Shelton, either. He replaced Brian Allen, a fourth-round pick in 2018, during the 2022 season and won the job again last season.
“I had to earn it; I had to win a competition,” he said. “But I also had a lot of great guys that I competed with. Coming off a competition with Brian Allen, him and I, we had a great rapport. And I’m feeling the same way with Bates, you know? We’re just pushing each other. It’s always all we got to do. We’re trying to make each other the best players we can be.”
Added versatility at tight end
(NO mention of Odunze)
No. 2 tight end Gerald Everett is entering Year 8, but he said he feels young at age 30. It might help having 40-year-old
Marcedes Lewis in the same room.
“I met him my rookie year when he was playing in Jacksonville after I scored my first touchdown,” Everett said. “Just chopping it up with him, I kind of got some wisdom from him then, but to be playing with him now, we’re going to have a fun year, and just off-the-field stuff up to this point is what we have talked about.”
Having spent time in Waldron’s offense, Everett’s familiarity with the scheme should help his ability to produce quickly.
“Just being interchangeable with receivers and the tight ends, and even the running back,” he said. “I mean, I don’t think there are many tight ends that are doing jet sweeps or catching screens, so hopefully to implement that as well as I did any other year that I have been in the league.”
Everett has 12 carries in his career; five went for first downs. Last season, he was 24th among tight ends in receiving yards but 11th in catch percentage (72.9). With
Cole Kmet at his position and a dynamic group of receivers, Everett is seeing in practice how the skill players can stress defenses.
“It’s scary. It’s scary. I’m sure you guys have seen it,” he said. “Even today, we gave the defense something to look at, something they probably weren’t ready for, but like I said, being interchangeable, even with DJ (Moore) and Keenan (Allen) and the guys in the receiving room. We’re going to want to play all of the spots. Whether it be right direction or left direction, we’re all going to be flying up and down the field.”
• Left tackle
Braxton Jones continued to rotate with
Larry Borom, but Eberflus said they anticipate Jones being able to keep participating once the pads come on for Friday’s practice.
• Wide receiver
Nsimba Webster and linebacker
Noah Sewell were present but did not participate.
• Friday’s practice will be the first one in pads and open to the public.
The article also contains discussion of drills, Stevenson’s desire to be an All Pro, and TJ Edwards mentioning bouncing back from a day off. “
Bears camp: Center battle set to heat up, defense wins the day vs. Caleb WilliamsBears camp: Center battle set to heat up, defense wins the day vs. Caleb Williams
