WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. – When offensive lineman [Coleman Shelton](/team/players-roster/coleman-shelton-x8463/) walked into the Rams' facility, it wasn't the same one he left at the end of the 2023 season. In Shelton's year away from the team, they moved to a different facility in Woodland Hills and he said it felt "completely new" entering the building on Thursday.
Still, it's the same culture and quarterback he played with before heading Chicago for a year. When his agent told him a return to Los Angeles was on the table, Shelton said he didn't want to put "too much hope into one thing," but he was definitely excited at the prospect.
"When I was here, we had a lot of success," Shelton said. "So I was just excited about the opportunity. Obviously, you want to be around as many great coaches, great players (as you can), be around family, so it was definitely exciting."
After spending the first five years of his NFL career with the Rams, Shelton will rejoin a familiar offensive line unit. He played with offensive linemen Kevin Dotson, Steve Avila, Alaric Jackson and Rob Havenstein during his last season in Los Angeles, and some for a longer period.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford has made it known in the past that he enjoyed playing with Shelton, and he said Stafford sent him a text saying "good to have you back," when he heard of Shelton's return. Shelton, a Pasadena, Calif. native, played in 73 games, including 32 starts, during his five years with the Rams. Now, he returns home for a second stint with the team, adding depth and experience to the interior offensive line.
"I'm excited to get going," Shelton said. "Obviously, I know a lot of the guys, and then there's a couple new guys last year who I'll get to know, and I'm excited to meet them and kind of just ready to get after it, hit the ground running and meet with a lot of familiar faces."
"It feels great, very happy to be back, close to family, so we're very excited to be home," Shelton said.