In a surprising move, the Chicago Bears have decided to part ways with two of their longest tenured players, offensive lineman Cody Whitehair and safety Eddie Jackson. This decision marks the end of an era for the team, as both players have been with the Bears for several seasons and have made significant contributions on the field.

Cody Whitehair, a 2016 second-round pick out of Kansas State, has been a mainstay on the Bears' offensive line. Over his eight seasons with the team, Whitehair appeared in 124 games, starting in an impressive 118 of them. What makes Whitehair's journey even more remarkable is his transition from guard to center, a position he never played in college. In his rookie season, Whitehair was asked to shift to center just before the start of the regular season. Despite the challenge, he showcased his versatility and dedicated play, going on to start in all 16 games that year.

Whitehair's efforts did not go unnoticed, as he was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2018 for his crucial role in helping the Bears secure the NFC North title with a remarkable 12-4 record. Over the years, his position on the line has varied, split between center and guard. In the 2021-2022 season, Whitehair transitioned to full-time guard, and in the most recent season, he took up the center position once again. He even filled in at left guard for five games during Teven Jenkins' injury absence.

On the defensive side of the ball, Eddie Jackson has been a key component of the Bears' secondary for seven seasons. The 2017 fourth-round pick from Alabama has been a reliable presence, starting in all 100 games he played for the team. Jackson's stat sheet speaks for itself, with 459 tackles, 15 interceptions, and an impressive 44 pass breakups to his name.

Throughout his career, Jackson has showcased excellent playmaking abilities, highlighted by his six defensive touchdowns, tying him with Lance Briggs for third in Bears history. His contributions earned him Pro Bowl nods in both 2018 and 2019, as well as a first-team All-Pro selection in 2018. However, injuries have plagued Jackson in recent seasons, causing him to miss significant playing time. In 2022, a foot injury ended his season prematurely, despite his impressive performance up until that point.

In the 2023 season, Jackson's playing time remained limited due to another foot injury. Despite being restricted to just 12 games, he managed to compile 37 tackles, one interception, and five pass breakups. His impact on the field was undeniable, and his absence was sorely felt by the Bears' defense.

The decision to part ways with Whitehair and Jackson marks the end of an era for the Bears, as these two players have been instrumental in shaping the team's identity. The only remaining long-time player on the roster is long-snapper Patrick Scales, who joined the team in 2015.

As the Bears look to recalibrate and prepare for the upcoming season, fans are left to reminisce about the contributions of these beloved players. Whitehair's versatility on the offensive line and Jackson's playmaking prowess in the secondary will be sorely missed. However, new opportunities and fresh faces provide hope for the future as the Bears strive to build a championship-caliber team.