Bears Signing Guard Cody Whitehair to Massive Contract Extension
By Michael Luciano
Matt Nagy and the Chicago Bears are quietly building one of the best offensive lines in football behind promising young center James Daniels, veteran guard Kyle Long, and Pro Bowl guard Cody Whitehair.
The Bears have locked up one of their biggest assets on a long-term deal, as Whitehair signed a five-year, $52 million contract extension with $27.5 million guaranteed.
Bears are signing guard Cody Whitehair to a 5-year, $52.5 million extension that includes $27.5 million guaranteed, per sources. The deal, negotiated by Jeff Nalley and Graylan Crain, gives Whitehair the second-largest guarantee for a guard extension in NFL history.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 1, 2019
Picked in the second round, 56th overall, in the 2016 NFL Draft, out of Kansas State, Whitehair became an immediate starter for the Bears at center. He moved to guard in 2018 following the emergence of Daniels at center.
Whitehair's versatility, raw strength as a run blocker, and light feet as a pash rusher have made him one of the best interior linemen in the game. In over 1,000 snaps last season, Whitehair did not allow a sack all year.
Here's a list of #Bears players and their PFF Positional Rank:
— The Chicago Audible (@ChicagoAudible) November 27, 2018
Eddie Jackson (1)
Khalil Mack (4)
Akiem Hicks (5)
Kyle Fuller (6)
Bryce Callahan (9)
Prince Amukamara (11)
Trey Burton (11)
Charles Leno (13)
Eddie Goldman (15)
Cody Whitehair (16)
Adrian Amos (18)
James Daniels (22)
Whitehair is not a household name, but quite frankly should be, as his blocking inside was at least part of what made the Nagy-led Bears so much more dangerous than the Chicago teams of yesteryear.