LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) -- The Bears signed left guard Cody Whitehair to a contract extension that keeps him with the team through 2024, they announced Sunday morning.
Whitehair's new deal is for five years and $52.5 million, including $27.5 million guaranteed, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. The contract extension came after Whitehair moved to a new agency in Select Sports late last week.
The Bears completed the extension as they began game week preparations for their opener against the Packers on Thursday.
"It feels great," Whitehair said. "Being here for an extended period of time is just great. This organization is great. The people in this building are great. It's just a blessing.
"I've just been focused on playing ball and obviously Thursday's game, but it is a relief to have it done."
Whitehair was a second-round pick by the Bears in 2016. He has started all 48 regular-season games since being drafted by the team. After primarily playing center his first three seasons, Whitehair moved to left guard this offseason.
The news of Whitehair's extension was something many around Halas Hall were celebrating, thrilled for a popular player in the locker room.
"Good things happen to good people, and it couldn't happen to a better person," quarterback Mitchell Trubisky said.
"I feel like I just got paid a little bit too."
Coach Matt Nagy was excited as well.
"Cody exemplifies everything we look for as a Chicago Bear, as a player and a person," Nagy said.
With Whitehair signing a new contract, the Bears have many of their key players secured through the 2021 season. Included in that group are Khalil Mack, Kyle Fuller, Akiem Hicks, Eddie Goldman, Charles Leno, Bobby Massie, Trey Burton, Taylor Gabriel, Buster Skrine, Roquan Smith, James Daniels, Anthony Miller, David Montgomery and Bilal Nichols.
"They're very loyal," Whitehair said. "It speaks a lot about this organization and paying players that are drafted here too -- coming here and extending them and rewarding them for what they've done."
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
