Bears are expected to part ways with their $51.2 million starter.
When NFL free agency begins in March, the Chicago Bears will attempt to add more components to their rebuild, but a few veterans, such as Cody Whitehair, are expected to be cut.
Whitehair has started 118 games as an interior offensive lineman for the Bears over the last eight seasons, playing both guard and centre. However, after the Bears benched him from his starting job during the 2023 season, his status is far from guaranteed moving into 2024 — and his huge cap number does not help.
Whitehair is entering the final year of his deal in 2024, with a cap cost of $13.25 million, which is high for a veteran who has fallen into a backup role. According to Over the Cap, the Bears would also save $9.15 million in cap space if they cut Whitehair before the start of the new league year on March 13.
With so many factors going against Whitehair, many believe the Bears will release the veteran offensive tackle — who turns 32 in July — before free agency. Bleacher Report identified him as one of the Bears’ three most likely cap casualties in 2024. Sean Hammond of Shaw Media also described Whitehair as a “prime” cut candidate.
“Guard Cody Whitehair is a prime candidate to be cut for salary-cap space,” Hammond stated in January. “Whitehair, who finished the season as a backup, is projected to cost $13 million against the salary cap in 2024. That would make him the offense’s second-highest-paid player, trailing only DJ Moore.
Cody Whitehair’s decline is likely to signal the end of his career.
The Bears have financial reasons for wanting to part ways with Cody Whitehair in 2024. Over the Cap estimates they will have approximately $46.87 million in cap space in 2024, but they might add $9.15 million if they opt to release him.
Chicago may then utilise that money to make more critical roster decisions, such as perhaps signing All-Pro cornerback Jaylon Johnson to a long-term contract or securing a seasoned edge rusher in free agency to partner with Montez Sweat.
Whitehair’s decreasing performance is probably more important than the money.
The Bears paid Whitehair more in 2023 ($14.1 million) than they would have had to pay him to stay in 2024 ($13.25 million), but the context is key. Last year, the Bears hoped Whitehair might return to centre and become a potential starter for the team. This year, there are no such misconceptions.
Whitehair struggled in both of his starts at centre in 2023, with some terrible snaps that caused quarterback Justin Fields to adjust on the fly. He didn’t fare much better in his eight starts at left guard, allowing three sacks and becoming a liability for the Bears’ rushing offence. According to Pro Football Focus measurements, he ended with the lowest overall offensive grade (45.0) and run-blocking grade (42.4) of his career.
If Whitehair’s contract was less expensive, the Bears might consider keeping him as a backup/depth piece because of his ability to play several inside positions. However, at $13.2 million, Chicago appears to have an easy decision to make regarding his future.
What Will the Bears Do About Centre Position in 2024?
Even if Whitehair is able to preserve his roster place for the 2024 season, the Bears will still look for a new starting centre this offseason. The question is whether they will address the need by signing a proven experienced starter in NFL free agency or drafting a youngster to start.
The Bears have a few free-agent alternatives, but none figure to be huge fish. Connor Williams might have qualified following a great two seasons with Miami, but he tore his ACL in December and may not be ready by the start of 2024. Other veteran options include Aaron Brewer, Andre James, and Lloyd Cushenberry.
The Bears may also wait to see if Tampa Bay labels Pro Bowl centre Ryan Jensen as a post-June 1 cut, but he missed the entire 2023 season with a reaggravated knee issue and is nearly 34 years old, making him an even greater injury risk than Williams.
Even if the Bears acquire a veteran, they may feel it worthwhile to invest in a centre at the 2024 NFL Draft. Oregon’s Jackson Powers-Johnson, West Virginia’s Zach Frazier, and Georgia’s Sedrick Van Pran could all be available in the first three rounds; however, the Bears would most likely have to trade back into the second round to get their pick of the three.
Chicago may also target Arkansas’ Beaux Limmer or Michigan’s Drake Nugent as late as Day 3, but this could make finding an immediate starter more difficult — which is why signing a veteran to battle with a rookie may be a viable strategy.
