Cody Whitehair, Bears' Offensive Lineman, Opens Up About Returning to Center Position
Cody Whitehair, the seasoned offensive lineman for the Chicago Bears, is making a comeback to his original position at center for the upcoming 2023 season. The seven-year veteran, however, sees this move as a familiar territory, saying it's "like riding a bike."
After the confirmation from general manager Ryan Poles back in April, Whitehair recently spoke with reporters about his offseason transition and expressed his appreciation to the Bears for informing him early on, allowing him time to readjust and embrace his role as center.
"I was notified earlier in the offseason, so it was nice to have that knowledge and get more comfortable with it. Now I feel good and I'm excited about it," Whitehair shared after Wednesday's OTA practice. While the transition took some time, especially in terms of the consistency of his snaps, Whitehair downplayed any concerns about the position change. He emphasized his team-first mentality, mentioning his experience of switching positions throughout his career, dating back to his college days.
"I've been doing this my whole career. It started when I was at K-State; they moved me all around. I played tackle, I played guard," Whitehair explained. "I'm used to it. I've always been a team-first guy. Wherever I can help the team, that's what I'm going to do."
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Matt Eberflus, the Bears' defensive coordinator, praised Whitehair's leadership qualities, noting his positive attitude, energy, and consistent work ethic. Eberflus expressed gratitude for Whitehair's presence in the team, highlighting his professionalism and how he sets an example for the younger players.
"We love having him around. He's always positive, always energetic. He brings it every day to practice, which is great for the young guys to see. He's a true professional, so no matter the circumstances, he remains the same guy in the building every single day. We appreciate that from him," Eberflus remarked.
Although the Bears have made improvements to their offensive line during the offseason, they still have a relatively young group up front. With players like Braxton Jones, Teven Jenkins, and Darnell Wright starting, who collectively have limited NFL experience, having someone like Whitehair with over 6,700 career snaps brings a valuable veteran presence.
"The guys gravitate toward him because of his leadership and the years of experience he's had playing multiple positions. He's great for Braxton, great for Darnell, great for all of those guys," Eberflus added.
As the 2023 season approaches, the Bears are confident in Whitehair's ability to lead and contribute to the team's success, both on and off the field.
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| POLL |
JUNE 1 | 26 ANSWERS Cody Whitehair, Bears' Offensive Lineman, Opens Up About Returning to Center Position Will Cody Withehair start next season? |
| Yes | 21 | 80.8 % |
| No | 5 | 19.2 % |
| LIST OF POLLS |
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