LA Rams Coleman Shelton doubles down on himself in new contract

When the LA Rams agreed to sign IOL Coleman Shelton to a two-year contract in 2022, there was not a lot of press attention given to the fact that the second year of the contract, the 2023 NFL season, was a voidable option year for the young man who finally had endured and appeared in line to get a starting role on the offensive line. But the Rams minimized the risk taken by re-signing Shelton, bringing him back on a two-year deal for $3.25 million.

But Shelton bet on himself, a very wise choice in hindsight. Of the three Rams offensive linemen signed in 2022: Joe Noteboom, Brian Allen, and Coleman Shelton, Shelton was clearly the best investment. So when 2023 arrived, and Shelton had outplayed his contract, he opted out of his second year. And so, the LA Rams wisely went back to the bargaining table, and in the process, Shelton more than doubled his salary:

But let's not go overboard, this is still an incredibly team friendly contract, and it bodes very well for a cap-strapped Rams payroll. In short, Shelton is back on what amounts to a $2.375 million APY contract, a huge bargain for a backup, let alone a starter. Best of all, Shelton can slide into and start in three positions on the Rams offensive line.

Shelton doubles down on himself

So what does Coleman Shelton get with this deal? Well, he's doubling down on himself. In short, he is gambling on himself once more, and his new contract has a void-year option if he plays 55 percent of the offensive snaps in 2023. For reference's sake, he played 92 percent of the offensive snaps in 2022.

This incentive-laden type of contract could have saved the LA Rams stacks of cash in 2022, particularly in the new contracts with OT Joe Noteboom and OC Brian Allen. The thing is, I believe that Shelton is one of the better offensive linemen on the Rams roster, And I genuinely believe that newly hired Offensive Line Coach Ryan Wendell is a huge step in the right direction to unlocking Shelton's full potential.

What is that full potential? Well, for one thing, Shelton is a huge asset in the LA Rams running game. The fact that the only time a Rams rusher has broken the 100+ yard mark in the past two seasons has only occured with Shelton at offensive center tells you just how effective this guy is. Will he start in 2023? While I would love to say yes, the compensation level of his latest contract remains that of a backup.

There are several reports of up to $4 million in incentive clauses for Shelton in his new contract. but I cannot confirm that from either Spotrac.com or OvertheCap.com. In the end, the LA Rams land a productive player for an incredible value.