This Rams veteran keeps proving at camp that he’s not going to sit on a bench

The Los Angeles Rams knew after the loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the Divisional Round of the 2025 NFL Playoffs that they needed to take action in the offseason. Two consecutive miscommunications by center Beaux Limmer allowed Eagles defensive tackle to rush quarterback Matthew Stafford uncontested. The Rams were in position to win the game. But those two plays snuffed all hopes of another miraculous fourth-quarter comeback.

And that started a chain of events that led to Day 1 of the Rams training camp.

The game of professional football can be described as a game of inches. But it can also be described as a contest of wills, a battle of forcing mistakes in opponents, while avoiding mistakes.

It can also be described as a marathon, designed to test the durability of players and teams.

However you define the game, the Rams front office ensures that they have improved the Rams roster by re-signing former starting center Coleman Shelton. a man who helped lead the team to victory in Super Bowl LVI, and who may have given the Rams a different outcome last season.

Coleman Shelton is already making a difference

The Rams cycled through three players after not extending Shelton in 2024, and it was not until rookie Beaux Limmer suited up mid-game in Week 1 that the turnstile ended at the position. But rifling through multiple players at the center position not only hurts the preparation of the center, but the chaos reverberates across the entire offensive line.

The Rams offensive line battled injuries in 2024 that led to continuity problems. The inability to suit up the same starting five offensive linemen for months discombobulated the entire offense throughout 2024 and made improving performances secondary to plugging holes and trying to grasp tempos and familiarity.

But Coleman Shelton is back, and barking out protections once more. And nothing makes Rams Head Coach Sean McVay happier. Check out his reaction to Day 1 of Shelton at center:

"The command, the communication, that’s such an important part.

That rapport between the center and the quarterback, and how that echoes from inside out. You hear our guards communicating more. I think it will be great. I have so much confidence in what Beaux Limmer is going to be for our football team down the line. I think for him to be able to see how Coleman (Shelton) runs the show will only make him better."

Rams HC Sean McVay

The Rams have not only added a starting center, but with rookie Beaux Limmer sliding into a backup role that allows him to observe what Shelton does, the team's entire depth at the center position has improved drastically.

Veteran center Coleman Shelton keeps proving at training camp that he’s not going to sit on a bench. A year ago, the Rams were toggling between Steve Avila and Jonah Jackson over who would play center. Neither did.

My oh my, what a difference a year makes. As always, thanks for reading

You are sure to love other recent Rams articles