Bears Likely Working to Extend Cody Whitehair and the Possible Cost

The Chicago Bears must've been thrilled both with and for Cody Whitehair in 2018. The young center came into the year dealing with a number of persistent struggles. His blocking had slightly regressed from his rookie season and he was starting to have problems snapping the football, often over or undershooting Mitch Trubisky. Not the best situation for a young player. Luckily the Bears hired Harry Hiestand as their offensive line coach last year. His reputation ranks among the best in the football world and he got straight to work on Whitehair's game. Not only did he add more discipline to his technique, but he also made Cody change the way he snaps. A few months later the Bears were in the playoffs and Whitehair was in his first Pro Bowl. The timing of this couldn't be better. That turnaround has apparently convinced the team that the time is right for them to start working on a contract extension. GM Ryan Pace is notorious this time of year for doing so with players he's acquired who have excelled. The question is what will it cost? Kevin Seifert of ESPN offered an idea.

"A Pro Bowl nod in 2018 puts Whitehair on course for the kind of deal the Buffalo Bills gave free-agent center Mitch Morse, who will earn $28 million over the first two years of the deal. That's a lot for a center, but still cheaper than it would be to sign a left tackle for a team looking to rebuild its line."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnEBC8M7hpY

Chicago Bears Cody Whitehair extension will be expensive but worth it

People always say that left tackle is the most important position on the offensive line. However, more than a few outlets continue to argue that the center is more so. Not only are they required to snap the ball, they also have to know every blocking assignment required up front and read what the defense is going to do. It requires intelligence, awareness, and instinct. That's why the Bills gave Morse $44.5 million over the next four years. A few things to note here. Morse is 26-years old. Whitehair is 27 and will be 28 when free agency occurs next year. It won't have a huge effect on the negotiations, but it's something that matters. Bottom line? The Bears wanted to be in this position, paying their money to keep their own players. Whitehair is a fixture for that offensive line who is starting to peak as a professional. Expensive as it may be, the price is worth it.