The releases of Eddie Jackson and Cody Whitehair signify the beginning of the next stage in Ryan Poles' reconstruction efforts.
The signs were clear well before Thursday's actions by the Bears.
Cody Whitehair, the veteran interior offensive lineman, found himself benched last season, anticipating a departure from Chicago in 2024. Eddie Jackson, on the other hand, experienced a career resurgence under Coach Matt Eberflus in 2022, but his performance waned due to a lingering foot injury in 2023. With a hefty $18.1 million cap hit, Jackson's release this offseason seemed inevitable.
In an interview with NBC Sports Chicago before the season's end, Jackson expressed his commitment to seeing General Manager Ryan Poles' rebuild through, acknowledging the business aspect and the possibility of relocating in 2024.
"This is where it started," Jackson remarked in early January. "I was here through the highs and lows. Now, as we're on the upswing, I feel I've earned the right to be part of it."
However, that won't be the case. On Thursday, the Bears officially parted ways with Jackson and Whitehair, freeing up an estimated $21.5 million in salary cap space, marking the commencement of Poles' next phase of rebuilding.
Upon Poles' arrival in 2022, he had to determine which veterans would aid in establishing the foundation envisioned alongside Eberflus.
Khalil Mack was traded early, Akiem Hicks departed, and Robert Quinn and Roquan Smith didn't survive the 2022 season.
Despite Jackson and Whitehair's apparent suitability for release due to their high costs and declining performances, Poles recognized the need for experienced leaders to instill the desired culture. With a focus on revitalizing the secondary and offensive line, Jackson and Whitehair became linchpins in kickstarting the rebuild.
Jackson's impactful 2022 season and mentorship of Jaquan Brisker, along with Whitehair's veteran presence amidst young talent, were pivotal. However, their significant cap hits in 2024 didn't align with the team's transition from rebuilding to competing.
Now, the Bears boast no players drafted before 2020 on their roster. With approximately $68 million in cap space, post-draft class allocations and franchise tag considerations bring their effective cap space to roughly $30 million for free agency.
Cutting Jackson and Whitehair was imperative to provide flexibility as Poles aims to fortify the roster for contention in 2024. While their contributions to the rebuild were valuable, the NFL's reality prioritizes current contributions over past achievements.
For the Bears, rejuvenating the roster with younger, more cost-effective talent is essential for future success. With the arrow pointing upward, the focus shifts from rebuilding to winning, where every roster decision must align with the goal of contending for divisional titles.
| POLL | ||
16 FEVRIER | 1 ANSWERS The releases of Eddie Jackson and Cody Whitehair signify the beginning of the next stage in Ryan Poles' reconstruction efforts. Is Ryan Poles doing a good job so far this off-season? | ||
| yes | 0 | 0 % |
| No | 0 | 0 % |
| List of polls | ||
