Duke Shelley Bio
YaQuis Bertron “Duke” Shelley (born October 8, 1996) is an American professional football cornerback who has played in the National Football League (NFL) since 2019. He played college football for the Kansas State Wildcats and was selected by the Chicago Bears in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Standing 5 feet 9 inches tall and listed at 176 pounds, Shelley has built his career on special teams play, depth-chart versatility, and short stints with multiple franchises across the league.
After beginning his professional career in Chicago, Shelley has since been a member of several NFL organizations, including the Minnesota Vikings, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Rams, New York Giants, and the Indianapolis Colts. Through the 2024 season, he had recorded 93 total tackles, 14 pass deflections, 1 interception, and 1 fumble recovery in his NFL career.
Early Life and Background
Shelley grew up in Tucker, Georgia, where he attended Tucker High School. He became a three-year starter for the Tigers, developing into one of the more highly regarded defensive backs in the state. His high school performance drew national recruiting attention, with Rivals.com ranking him as the 22nd-best cornerback in his class and ESPN listing him 33rd at the position.
Coming out of Tucker, Shelley was a multi-year starter who held his own against top-level high school competition. That experience prepared him to compete for a starting role once he arrived in the Big 12 Conference, and it laid the foundation for his eventual selection in the 2019 NFL Draft.
Path to American Football
Shelley committed to Kansas State, where he spent four seasons with the Wildcats between 2015 and 2018. In his college career, he totaled 165 tackles and eight interceptions, showing consistent ball skills and tackling ability across multiple seasons in the Big 12. His development gave Kansas State a veteran presence in its secondary by the time he reached his upperclassman years.
As a junior in 2017, Shelley started all 12 games and recorded 13 pass breakups, the fourth-highest total in the Big 12 Conference that season. He earned honorable mention all-conference recognition for his work that year. His senior season in 2018 was cut short after seven games because of a toe injury, but his junior production and his overall college resume were strong enough to keep him on NFL draft boards.
Duke Shelley Career
Early Career (2019–2020)
Shelley was selected by the Chicago Bears in the sixth round, 205th overall, of the 2019 NFL Draft. On June 20, 2019, he signed a four-year rookie contract with the Bears worth $2,647,832, including a $127,832 signing bonus. He made his NFL debut on September 5, 2019, in the season opener against the Green Bay Packers.
As a rookie, Shelley appeared in nine games and worked mostly on special teams, learning the NFL game while adjusting to professional-level competition. He used his first two seasons in Chicago to build a foundation in coverage and on special-teams units, areas that would define his early professional reputation.
Chicago Bears Breakthrough (2019–2021)
Shelley entered the 2021 season as the third cornerback on the Bears’ depth chart behind Jaylon Johnson and Kindle Vildor. He played in nine games that season and made three starts before a hamstring injury in Week 11 forced him onto injured reserve on November 23, 2021. He was activated on December 21, 2021, and finished the year as a contributing member of Chicago’s secondary.
His time in Chicago ended on August 31, 2022, when he was waived by the Bears. Across his three seasons with the franchise, Shelley appeared primarily on defense and special teams, establishing himself as a reliable depth piece and a steady presence in the locker room.
Minnesota Vikings Era (2022)
On September 6, 2022, Shelley signed with the Minnesota Vikings practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on November 12 and stepped into a starting role as the primary replacement for Cameron Dantzler, who was on injured reserve. His most memorable moment with the Vikings came in Week 10 against the Buffalo Bills, when he delivered a game-saving pass deflection in a 33–30 Minnesota win.
Shelley added another career milestone in Week 18 against the Chicago Bears, recording his first career interception against quarterback Tim Boyle. That pick capped his first stint in Minnesota and highlighted the ball-hawking ability he had flashed in college.
Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Rams (2023)
On March 23, 2023, Shelley signed with the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency. He was released on August 29, 2023, before the start of the regular season. Just three days later, on September 1, 2023, he joined the Los Angeles Rams, where he spent the bulk of the 2023 campaign.
His Rams tenure was interrupted on November 27, 2023, when he was placed on injured reserve. He was activated on January 10, 2024, and returned to the field for the final stretch of the season, giving Los Angeles a veteran option in its secondary late in the year.
Minnesota Vikings (Second Stint) and New York Giants (2024)
Shelley returned to the Minnesota Vikings on July 23, 2024, signing a new deal with the team. That stint was short, as he was released on August 27, 2024, ahead of the regular season. Two days later, on August 29, 2024, he was signed to the New York Giants practice squad to provide experienced depth in the secondary and on special teams.
He was released by the Giants on October 15, 2024, finishing the year as a veteran free agent looking for his next opportunity. Across his 2024 stops, Shelley continued to add to his overall tackle and pass-deflection totals while maintaining his reputation as a dependable coverage and special-teams player.
Indianapolis Colts Era (2025–Present)
On July 31, 2025, Shelley signed with the Indianapolis Colts. He was released on August 26, 2025, as part of the league’s final roster cuts. Despite the release, his signing reflected continued NFL interest in his veteran experience and his ability to contribute on defense and special teams.
Duke Shelley Career Wins
As a cornerback whose value is measured in coverage, tackles, and special-teams play, Shelley has built a résumé around individual defensive production rather than team championships. Through the 2024 season, his verified NFL totals include 93 total tackles, 14 pass deflections, 1 interception, and 1 fumble recovery. He also posted 165 tackles and 8 interceptions during his college career at Kansas State.
NFL Highlights
Shelley’s most celebrated NFL moment came in Week 10 of the 2022 season with the Minnesota Vikings, when his game-saving pass deflection helped secure a 33–30 win over the Buffalo Bills. In Week 18 of that same season, he recorded his first career interception against Tim Boyle of the Chicago Bears, a milestone he had chased since his rookie year.
Other Performances
Beyond those signature plays, Shelley has produced steady special-teams work and rotational defensive snaps across stints with the Bears, Vikings, Raiders, Rams, Giants, and Colts. His journeyman path has given him experience in several defensive schemes and locker-room cultures, while keeping him active in the league into the 2025 season.
Duke Shelley Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Shelley was raised in Tucker, Georgia, where he attended Tucker High School and developed into a multi-year starter at cornerback. He is identified publicly as YaQuis Bertron Shelley, with the nickname “Duke” used throughout his football career. Public details about his parents, spouse, and children are not consistently documented in verified sources.
2025 Season Performance
Shelley’s 2025 outlook began when he signed with the Indianapolis Colts on July 31, 2025, joining the team for training camp and the preseason. The agreement gave him a chance to compete for a roster spot in a young Colts secondary, where his experience with the Bears, Vikings, Raiders, and Rams was viewed as an asset. He was released on August 26, 2025, as part of the league’s final roster cuts, ending his 2025 stint in Indianapolis.
Despite the late-summer release, Shelley remained a free agent with more than six years of NFL experience and a track record of stepping into starting roles when called upon. His 2025 production reflected the same traits that have defined his career: reliable tackling, sure hands in coverage, and the versatility to contribute on special teams.