Bears restructure Cody Whitehair’s contract

Despite not having a whole lot of salary cap space, the Bears have made some big moves in free agency and through the trade market.

Chicago has bolstered its defense with All-Pro pass rusher Robert Quinn and added some pieces to its offense with the additions of tight end Jimmy Graham and quarterback Nick Foles.

Now, general manager Ryan Pace has to get creative in freeing up salary cap space. And that’s starting with restructuring center Cody Whitehair’s contract, according to Field Yates.

The Bears have retooled the contract of G Cody Whitehair. With a Nick Foles trade on the horizon and free agency open, this likely is an effort to create cap flexibility for 2020.

Chicago has often relied upon converting base salary into signing bonuses to create cap space.

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 19, 2020

According to Over The Cap, Whitehair’s base salary in 2020 is $5.1 million, which means that with a restructure the most they could save would be $3.352 million.

Considering the Bears are still anticipated to make some moves in free agency, including on the offensive line, don’t expect the restructuring of Whitehair’s contract to be the last move Pace makes to free up cap space.