As the Chicago Bears gear up for NFL free agency to enhance their rebuilding efforts, there’s also speculation about veterans facing potential roster cuts in March, and one such player is Cody Whitehair.
Whitehair, an interior offensive lineman, has amassed 118 starts for the Bears over the past eight seasons, alternating between guard and center positions. However, his future with the team became uncertain in 2023 when he was benched from his starting role. Heading into 2024, with the final year of his contract, Whitehair carries a significant cap hit of $13.25 million, making him an expensive option for a veteran in a backup role. Releasing Whitehair before the new league year begins on March 13 would provide the Bears with a notable cap space relief of $9.15 million, according to Over the Cap.
Given the numerous factors working against Cody Whitehair, there is a widespread expectation that the Chicago Bears will part ways with the veteran offensive lineman, who is set to turn 32 in July, before the commencement of free agency. Bleacher Report has highlighted him as one of the Bears’ three most probable cap casualties for 2024. Sean Hammond of Shaw Media has labeled Whitehair as a “prime” candidate for being released, citing salary-cap space considerations. In January, Hammond noted, “Guard Cody Whitehair is a prime candidate to be cut for salary-cap space. Whitehair, who ended the season as a backup, is set to cost $13 million against the salary cap in 2024. That would make him the second-highest-paid player on the offense behind [DJ] Moore.”
Decline of Cody Whitehair Likely Signals End in Sight
The Bears have financial incentives to part ways with Cody Whitehair in 2024. With Over the Cap estimating around $46.87 million in cap space for 2024, releasing Whitehair could provide an additional $9.15 million. This surplus could be utilized for crucial roster-building decisions, including the possibility of securing a long-term extension for All-Pro cornerback Jaylon Johnson or acquiring a veteran edge rusher in free agency to complement Montez Sweat. However, the primary factor driving this decision is likely Whitehair’s diminishing on-field performance rather than the financial aspect.
In 2023, the Bears disbursed a higher amount to Cody Whitehair ($14.1 million) than they would need to retain him for the 2024 season ($13.25 million). However, the context is crucial. Last year, the Bears held the belief that Whitehair could transition back to center and effectively serve as a starter in that role. This year, such misconceptions no longer exist.
Whitehair’s performance at center in 2023 was subpar, marked by problematic snaps that compelled quarterback Justin Fields to make on-the-fly adjustments. His eight starts at left guard were also less than stellar, as he allowed three sacks and proved to be a detriment to the Bears’ rushing offense. According to Pro Football Focus metrics, Whitehair concluded the season with the lowest overall offensive grade (45.0) and run-blocking grade (42.4) of his career.
Considering Whitehair’s contract was more budget-friendly, the Bears might contemplate retaining him as a backup or depth player, given his versatility across various interior positions. However, with a price tag of $13.2 million, Chicago seems to have a straightforward decision to make regarding his future.
What Will Bears Do About Center Position for 2024?
Even in the highly improbable scenario where Whitehair retains his roster spot for the 2024 season, the Bears will still be actively seeking a new starting center in the offseason. The uncertainty lies in their approach to addressing this need: will they opt for a proven veteran starter through NFL free agency or choose to draft a rookie for the starting position?
While the Bears have a few options to consider in free agency, none of them seem to be top-tier choices. Connor Williams, who had a strong two seasons with Miami, might have been a contender, but he suffered an ACL tear in December, raising doubts about his readiness for the beginning of the 2024 season. Other veteran alternatives include Aaron Brewer, Andre James, and Lloyd Cushenberry.
The Bears could opt to wait and see if Tampa Bay designates Pro Bowl center Ryan Jensen as a post-June 1 cut. However, Jensen missed the entire 2023 season due to a reaggravated knee injury and, at almost 34 years old, presents even greater injury concerns than Williams.
Even in the event of signing a veteran, the Bears might still consider investing in a center during the 2024 NFL draft. Potential options in the first three rounds could include Oregon’s Jackson Powers-Johnson, West Virginia’s Zach Frazier, and Georgia’s Sedrick Van Pran. However, to secure their preferred choice among these three, the Bears would likely need to trade back into the second round.
As alternatives, Chicago could also look at Arkansas’ Beaux Limmer and Michigan’s Drake Nugent, potentially in the later rounds. However, this might pose challenges in finding an immediate starter, highlighting the practicality of signing a veteran to compete with a rookie.
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