GREEN BAY, Wis. (670 The Score) — After Sunday brought the conclusion of his eighth NFL season, veteran offensive lineman Cody Whitehair reflected on Chicago's loss to Green Bay and its 7-10 campaign by using the term we. As he then looked ahead to the Bears' future, Whitehair did so by using they.
Whitehair understands that after the Bears benched him in November and relegated him to a reserve role, his tenure in Chicago is likely coming to an end.
“This team is going to be great next year,” Whitehair said. “A lot of momentum going into next year. Obviously, this one is tough. We wanted to get this one going into next year. But this team’s definitely on the rise. They’re heading in the right direction.”
Before the the regular season began, Whitehair spoke candidly about his appreciation to be back with the Bears in 2023. He had been a candidate to be a salary cap cut last offseason but ultimately remained on the roster. Though the 31-year-old Whitehair has one year remaining on his current contract, the writing is on the wall.
Whitehair was the Bears' starting center to open the season but struggled with his snapping consistency. The Bears removed him from that role during their loss to the Vikings on Oct. 15, shifting him to guard after an injury to starter Nate Davis.
When Davis returned to action on Nov. 19, Whitehair was shifted into a reserve role. Following 117 start NFL starts, he was suddenly a backup.
“I’m a team-first guy and whatever is better for the team, that’s what I’m going to do,” Whitehair said. “I served as a backup the rest of the year and made the best of it.
“There were some ups and downs, obviously. Was asked to go in the backup role, and that’s tough. As a starter here for seven years, it’s tough. But I made the best of it and going to continue to play, for sure.”
As a number of key decisions loom, the Bears will evaluate their starting offensive line this offseason. Davis appears set as the starting right guard after signing a three-year, $30-million deal last March, while rookie Darnell Wright, the No. 10 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, impressed as the starting right tackle. Teven Jenkins was a strong performer at left guard when healthy, but he has played just 31 of a possible 51 games over his three NFL seasons.
The Bears will likely assess their options at left tackle and center and look to add quality depth at guard. But Whitehair likely won’t factor into the equation. Chicago can save to $10.3 million against the cap if Whitehair is released with a post-June 1 designation.
Whitehair understands the business side of the league. He also believes in the Bears’ future, whether that includes him or not.
“You can just see everybody playing for each other,” Whitehair said. “Offense, defense and special teams are just heading in the right direction. This team is on the rise and going to be good next year.”
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.