Chicago Bears releasing OL Cody Whitehair

The Chicago Bears are releasing longtime offensive lineman Cody Whitehair, according to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter.

Bears are releasing former Pro Bowl guard Cody Whitehair, per sources. After Whitehair spent the past eight seasons in Chicago, the Bears are giving him the chance to sign with another team before free agency begins in mid March. pic.twitter.com/VW1eKhllTJ

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 15, 2024

Whitehair has been a fixture in the Bears’ offensive line over the last eight seasons. He’s appeared in 124 games (118 starts), including stints at guard and center.

Cody Whitehair joined the Chicago Bears as a second-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft and has been a consummate professional ever since. It’s part of the reason why the Bears are releasing him now, he’ll get a head start in free agency.

The Bears are expected to select a center early in the 2024 NFL Draft, and with Teven Jenkins and Nate Davis the presumed starters at guard next season, there’s no place for Whitehair in the lineup.

Chicago will save nearly $9 million in salary cap space by releasing Whitehair, improving their already strong spending power on the open market.

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