A prominent player released by the Chicago Bears emerges as a potential solution should the Detroit Lions require reinforcement on their offensive line.
The Chicago Bears’ decision to release veteran offensive lineman Cody Whitehair last week didn’t come as a major surprise. His performance level declined last season, and the team couldn’t justify retaining him given his salary and cap number.
Whitehair, who spent his entire career with the Bears, earned a Pro Bowl selection as a center in 2018 before transitioning exclusively to left guard for the past three seasons. However, his overall grade from Pro Football Focus plummeted to a career-low 45.0 this past season, marking a significant drop from his 2022 performance.
The Detroit Lions could see significant changes in their interior offensive line this offseason, with guards Jonah Jackson, Graham Glasgow, and Halapoulivaati Vaitai all becoming free agents. Vaitai may consider retirement, leaving the potential departure of Jackson and Glasgow uncertain.
Despite his struggles in 2023, Jackson might attract considerable interest on the open market, while Glasgow’s strong performance could earn him a salary increase.
Cody Whitehair became available for signing before the new league year begins on March 13. His market value during this period remains uncertain.
While the Lions won’t rush to sign Whitehair before the league year starts, they could explore the possibility of adding him to their roster as insurance against potential departures of Jackson or Glasgow.
Despite his low PFF grade of No. 73 out of 79 eligible guards in 2023, Whitehair ranked as PFF’s 28th-best guard in 2022 with an overall grade of 65.9. A new team signing him would hope for a rebound to his 2022 form.
With his wealth of experience (118 career starts) and versatility, Whitehair could be an appealing option for teams in need of offensive line help, including the Lions, provided they have a need for an experienced interior lineman.
