The Chicago Bears may be stepping into a new era, but there’s still significant work ahead as part of their rebuild. While the Bears believe they’ve secured the face of the franchise with quarterback Caleb Williams and have surrounded him with talented skill players, there are still areas that need attention. The defense shows a lot of promise, particularly with strong drafts at linebacker and cornerback in recent seasons.
However, ensuring Williams stays protected is crucial for the team’s success, and the current state of the offensive line, especially at center, raises concerns. Ryan Bates is currently listed as the starting center over Coleman Shelton, but neither has firmly established themselves as the ideal long-term solution.
While either Bates or Shelton might be serviceable in 2024, the Bears would be wise to consider upgrading the position for the future. One of the best options could be four-time Pro Bowl center Ryan Kelly from the Indianapolis Colts. Kelly, who was a first-round pick by the Colts in 2016, has spent his entire NFL career in Indianapolis.
Bleacher Report’s Scouting Department recently predicted that the Bears might target Kelly in the 2025 free agency. The report highlighted the center position as “arguably the biggest weakness on Chicago’s roster right now.” Although Kelly, who will turn 32 in May, may not have a long tenure with the Bears, he would be instrumental in protecting Williams. In 2023, Kelly allowed just seven pressures, according to Pro Football Focus, making him a solid option for the Bears.
In addition to his four Pro Bowls, Kelly was also a second-team All-Pro in 2020. Over his nine-year career, he has started 111 games and consistently performed at a high level, with a low block-blowing rate of just 1.6%, according to Sports Info Solutions.
To secure a productive and lengthy career for Caleb Williams, adding a reliable veteran like Kelly to snap the ball would be a smart move for the Bears. With a projected $73 million in cap space for 2025 (according to Spotrac), Chicago has ample financial flexibility to make Kelly a part of their roster.
Of course, Kelly is likely to attract other offers, but the Bears could strengthen their case by continuing to improve on the field, as they did with their four-win jump last season.
