15 February 2024
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — The Chicago Bears are reportedly releasing longtime offensive lineman Cody Whitehair, the team announced on Thursday.
The release will give him the opportunity to sign with another team before free agency begins in March.
Whitehair, a native of Abilene and former Kansas State offensive lineman, spent eight seasons with the Chicago Bears from 2016 to 2023. He started a total of 118 games, primarily at center and guard.
Pro Football Focus, which grades players on each snap they play, says Whitehair played in 787 snaps in the 2023 season, posting a grade of 45 overall, which ranks No. 73 out of 79 guards in the league.
He was drafted by the Bears in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft. It was by way of injuries to other offensive linemen for the Bears that led to Whitehair starting all 16 games at the center position.
Whitehair was named to the 2019 Pro Bowl, becoming the first Bears center since Olin Kreutz to play in the Pro Bowl, and he was the only Bears player to play every offensive snap in that game.