Bears Release Eddie Jackson and Cody Whitehair, Saving $21.5 Million

In a surprising move, the Chicago Bears have released veteran safety Eddie Jackson and guard Cody Whitehair, according to an announcement made by the team on Thursday. Whitehair and Jackson, who were both drafted by the Bears' previous front office, were the longest-tenured players on their respective sides of the ball.

This decision will save the Bears an estimated $21.5 million against the 2024 salary cap. It also marks a significant shift for the team, as they no longer have any draft picks made before 2020 on their current roster.

Cody Whitehair, a 31-year-old interior lineman, was drafted by Chicago in the second round in 2016. He has been a mainstay for the Bears, appearing in 124 games over eight seasons with 118 starts. Whitehair showcased his versatility by playing at center for his first three NFL seasons before transitioning to left guard in 2019-20. He then moved back to guard for the 2021-22 seasons but was temporarily reassigned to left guard due to an injury to Teven Jenkins. However, after some struggles with errant snaps, Whitehair was benched and finished the 2023 season with 11 starts. This was the first season in which he did not start every game he played.

Meanwhile, Eddie Jackson, a fourth-round selection in the 2017 draft, started all 100 games he appeared in during his seven seasons with Chicago. Unfortunately, his playing time was often limited by foot injuries in recent years. With a cap hit of $18.1 million, Jackson was one of the highest-paid players on the Bears roster. Throughout his career, Jackson has accumulated impressive statistics, including 15 interceptions, 44 passes defended, 10 forced fumbles, and 459 tackles. He is also tied for third in franchise history with six career defensive touchdowns.

In 2022, Jackson made a position switch from strong safety to free safety after the Bears drafted Jaquan Brisker. The move paid off as Jackson had a bounce-back season, leading the team with four interceptions in 12 games. He served as a key defensive leader after the departures of linebacker Roquan Smith and defensive end Robert Quinn in trade deals. However, last season saw Jackson's playing time decrease due to injuries, managing one interception and 37 tackles in 12 games.

General Manager Ryan Poles acknowledged Jackson's impact on the team, particularly in terms of communication on the back end of the defense. Despite his injuries, Jackson's presence had a positive influence on rookie Jaquan Brisker, who felt comfortable playing alongside him.

The Bears' decision to release Whitehair and Jackson reflects a clear focus on remolding the roster as they move forward. Only time will tell how these significant changes will impact the team's performance in the upcoming seasons.