It is crazy how fast Cody Whitehair became the “old man” of the Chicago Bears offensive line. He turned 30 next week. So it’s not like he’s ancient by any stretch of the imagination. Yet that is where things stand. Suddenly everyone is looking to him for leadership. He is the most experienced player they have, and he’s been in Chicago longer than anybody. While never the vocal type, the former Pro Bowler is embracing his leadership role.
Having endured years of offensive ineptitude, Whitehair understands how vital the line will be this coming season as Justin Fields prepares for a critical second year. The young quarterback was brutalized in 2021. Most people think the line is the weak point of the Bears’ offense. It sounds like Whitehair is dead set on making sure that is not the case. Rookie Braxton Jones made that clear in his presser last month.
“I think they’ve been harder on me, and I like it like that. Even going against a guy like Cody Whitehair, he’s hard on me. Every play, he’s like c’mon, you’ve got to get off the ball, you’ve got to do this, and so I think it’s great for me, and then getting on me a little bit more is something I need. The respect is there, but also I think the level of ‘let’s go’ is there as well.
“I know I’m a fifth-round draft pick and everything like that, but I was drafted for a reason, and I think I’m here for a reason, and that’s the biggest thing. It’s going to be a process for sure. It’s just taking it day-by-day and getting 1% better every day.”
This may explain a lot.
It was a surprise when Jones emerged as the starting left tackle by the end of mandatory minicamps. Fifth round picks don’t usually make that kind of progress so quickly. Whitehair isn’t letting him slack in anything he does. Every detail matters, from his technique to his temperament. The veteran knows what it’s like to be thrown into the fire. Not only did he start as a rookie, but he had to start at an unfamiliar position at center.
Whitehair had the good fortune of being surrounded by quality veterans, including Kyle Long and Josh Sitton. Their influence helped him become a quality starter in the NFL. Now he is hoping to pay it forward with guys like Jones. If the rookie listens to his instructions, the results should be positive whenever he gets on the field.
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Cody Whitehair will go down as an unsung hero.
The Bears’ offensive line endured some ugly low points over the past decade. That is a product of the team’s poor drafting and developing blockers. Whitehair is one of the few exceptions. They selected him in the 2nd round, and despite their best efforts to ruin it with constant position switches, he became a quality starter for the past six years. He isn’t perfect, but he deserves more respect.
All one can do is hope the team becomes good again before his career in Chicago closes. Cody Whitehair has endured some rough times. Just one winning season in his career that ended in heartbreaking fashion. He wants more than that, and his efforts with Jones and others speak to that. Don’t mistake his lack of a public persona for somebody indifferent to his surroundings.
The man cares.
This season has a chance to be one of his personal best too. The Bears will implement a wide-zone offense under Luke Getsy, built around running the football behind athletic linemen. If ever there was a scheme that Whitehair was meant to play in, it’s this one. Hopefully, Jones will help prove some people wrong too.
First; Cody sees the writing on the wall. He knows Braxton has a shot to start this year, and he’s investing now in the hope of realizing results in-season. When Whitehair stops holding you to account – that’s something to worry about. Wonder if he take Borom and/or Jenkins to task.