The Chicago Bears are releasing a veteran Pro Bowler in a surprise roster move ahead of the new league year.
According to ESPN’s Adm Schefter, the Bears are releasing former Pro Bowl guard Cody Whitehair. The 31-year-old is now eligible to sign with another team before free agency officially opens on March 13.
Whitehair was drafted in the second round (56th overall) by the Bears in 2016. He earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2018 after leading the Bears to a surprise 12-4 finish as well as their first NFC North division title in eight years.
The Kansas State product also helped the Bears to a surprise wild card appearance in 2020.
Whitehair had a tough final season in the Windy City. According to Pro Football Focus, he allowed three sacks and committed two penalties on 787 offensive snaps, and PFF had him graded at 45.0 on the year.
In another surprise move, the Bears released former two-time Pro Bowl safety Eddie Jackson. Indeed, GM Ryan Poles is prioritizing opening up cap space with a busy offseason looming.
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The Bears hold the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and are widely expected to take USC’s Caleb Williams. If that happens, they’ll likely end up trading standout QB Justin Fields to another team ahead of the draft.
