The Chicago Bears have agreed to a five-year contract extension with guard Cody Whitehair, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Whitehair joined the Bears as a second-round pick in the 2016 NFL draft and has started all 48 games over the last three seasons. He’s converting to guard in 2019 in order for last year’s second-rounder, James Daniels, to move to his more natural center position.
According to Schefter, Whitehair’s new deal totals $52.5 million with $27.5 million guaranteed, which is the second-largest guaranteed amount ever paid to a guard.
Whitehair finished 2018 with a 70.4 grade from Pro Football Focus, good for eighth-best on offense. He’s been a reliable starter since his rookie season and still has room to grow as a player; he has Pro Bowl potential.
With Whitehair’s extension in the books, the Bears’ offensive line is now locked and loaded for several years. Charles Leno, Bobby Massie and Kyle Long all have multiple years remaining on their deals and Daniels is entering just his second season on a rookie contract.
