The Chicago Bears made their first roster moves of what figures to be an active offseason, parting with two veterans.
?The #Bears have released veterans S Eddie Jackson and OL Cody Whitehair, who had combined salary cap numbers of roughly $32M,? NFL Network?s Ian Rapoport reported in a post on X, formerly Twitter, on February 15. ?Even more cap space for Chicago.?
Bears Cut Eddie Jackson, Cody Whitehair
Eddie Jackson, Cody Whitehair Earned Pro Bowl Trips as Bears
The Bears selected Jackson with the No. 112 overall pick in 2017. A two-time Pro Bowler and one-time All-Pro, Jackson?s Bears career concludes with 459 total tackles, 15 interceptions, 10 forced fumbles, six recoveries, three touchdowns, and 2.0 sacks.
Jackson spoke candidly about his future while accepting the ?Jeff Dickerson Good Guy Award,? which is handed out by Bears media.
He also shared a post seemingly hinting at this possibility on X in recent days.
New Beginnings??
— Eddie Jackson (@BoJack4) February 9, 2024
Teammates, especially younger ones in the secondary, have praised Jackson?s leadership over the years, this past season included. He proved vital in helping them navigate their 2-6 start to the season.
Jackson had battled back from a foot injury that cut his 2022 campaign short. Injuries had become a theme toward the end of his Bears tenure.
Whitehair was the second longest-tenured Bear behind long snapper Patrick Scales.
The No. 56 overall pick in 2016, Whitehair was a starter from Day 1, logging four consecutive seasons of full slates. He?s missed seven games in his career, though his play seemingly slipped over the last two seasons, leading coaches to replace him with Lucas Patrick at center.
Whitehair resurfaced, filling in for Teven Jenkins at guard. But he joins Jackson in free agency.
Bears Clear More Cap Space
?Releasing guard Cody Whitehair and safety Eddie Jackson today will save the Bears approximately $21.5 million against the salary cap,? ESPN?s Adam Schefter posted.
Chicago entered the offseason with $49.1 million in cap space before this deal.
They now have north of $70 million, the third most in the NFL this offseason, per Spotrac. And they could still create even more space if they wanted. It wouldn?t be a cut, but a restructure could lower wide receiver DJ Moore?s $16.8 million cap hit as he heads into Year 3 of his three-year, $61.9 million contract.
The Bears do have to factor in a potential contract for cornerback Jaylon Johnson too. Spotrac projects Johnson to command a deal worth $15.7 million annually, which means today?s transactions could prove key.
The moves also create at least one hole in the starting depth chart.
Bears Need New Starting Safety, Maybe Center
The Bears have youngster Elijah Hicks on hand to replace Jackson. He filled in for Jackson multiple times in 2023.
It would also not be surprising to see them spend another premium pick on the position. They did with Jaquan Brisker in 2022 and that decision has worked out so far. They could even try one of their young corners at safety ? Terell Smith comes to mind.
Patrick is also a free agent this offseason.
He performed better at center than Whitehair, who transitioned back to his Pro Bowl position after five years at guard.
Nothing is definitive about what the Bears plan to do with Patrick. But they could be looking for a starting center and a starting safety this offseason.