Chicago Bears: Whitehair Speaks About Moving Back To Center

After a period of field experimentation and strategic shuffles, the Chicago Bears moved Cody Whitehair back to his original position as the center. Since he entered the NFL in 2016, Whitehair’s performance and versatility have been central to the Bears’ offensive strategies. However, this move indicates a decision by the Bears’ management to consolidate and optimize the team’s strength in preparation for the upcoming season.

Whitehair, a native of Kansas and a Kansas State alumnus, was initially drafted by the Bears in 2016 and quickly made his mark with his impressive skills and adaptability. He has been an anchor on the line, starting every game until the 2020 season, when he missed two games due to COVID-19. He also missed five games last season due to an injury.

Whitehair showed an aptitude for handling high-pressure situations. He demonstrated his versatility by efficiently switching positions across the offensive line, with stints at both guard spots and the center.

The Bears overhaul the offensive line

After experiencing many struggles with the unit, the Chicago Bears had to make some adjustments to the offensive line. General manager Ryan Poles signed free agent guard Nate Davis and selected tackle Darnell Wright.

Having Davis at guard forced a change on the line. Davis plays the right guard spot. That meant that Tevin Jenkins, who also made his own moves in his career in Chicago, moved over to left guard. Whitehair, the starting left guard, found himself moving to center once again.

The decision to move Whitehair back to center is not surprising, considering his track record in this position. During his rookie season at center, he demonstrated exceptional skills in snapping and blocking, as well as a strong capacity for game leadership. His excellent performance earned him a Pro Bowl selection in 2018.

Transitioning Whitehair back to center is a strategic decision by the Bears, who aim to stabilize the offensive line and bolster their attacking prowess. Whitehair’s experience, coupled with his proven leadership, could provide the guidance and structure the Bears’ offensive line needs to excel in the upcoming season. This move also allows younger, less experienced players to develop in less demanding roles, fostering overall team growth.

Whitehair’s return does not guarantee a spot

The reshuffle also leverages Whitehair’s inherent talent for play-calling and understanding defensive schemes. He has shown his adeptness at reading defensive lineups and adjusting blocking assignments, an essential skill for any center. These skills will be crucial in combating the aggressive defensive strategies commonly seen in the league.

However, any change comes with challenges, and Whitehair’s move to center is no exception.

Whitehair isn’t guaranteed a spot. Yes, he has the experience to succeed. However, the Bears also have Lucas Patrick.

The Bears signed Patrick to be the starting center last season. Injuries derailed his season, though. He suffered a broken thumb early on in training camp. That kept him from all of training camp and the preseason games.

When Patrick returned, he wasn’t completely healthy. However, the Bears felt he was good enough to start at guard. He played the first six games at guard. Then, in Week 7, he started his first game at center. He suffered a toe injury, though, and that injury cut the rest of his season.

Now Patrick is healthy again. He and Whitehair will battle it out for the starting center job. If Patrick shows that he is the player general manager Ryan Poles felt when he signed him, he could win the job. Additionally, Poles create more cap space to find a player at another position. Parting ways with Whitehair saves the team $9.9 million.

Whitehair feels confident, however. He feels that returning to center isn’t a big deal. Since he moved back and forth from center to guard, to him it felt like riding a bike.

Cody Whitehair on moving to C from G: “I’ve kinda done this my whole career. … I’m used to it.”

— Patrick Finley (@patrickfinley) May 31, 2023

The Bears’ fan base seems optimistic about the change, too, hoping that the return to familiar territory will reignite the Bears’ offense. In addition, his ability to create seamless communication between the offensive line and the quarterback could potentially enhance the Bears’ pass protection.

Cody Whitehair’s move back to the center position is a promising decision for the Chicago Bears. His proven leadership, adaptability, and impressive skill set offer significant potential for the team’s offense.