Bears Center Ready to Lead After Switch

One of the big questions facing the Bears offense coming into offseason work was how quickly Cody Whitehair could adjust to playing center again, if he could.

Considering he'd been at left guard since the middle of the 2020 season, it seemed a real question.

On the Bears list of potential headaches, this one ranks about 300th at the moment thanks to the player involved.

"Yeah, I mean, it's kind of like riding a bike," Whitehair said. "I know at first there were some issues as far as the consistency of the snaps.

"But I feel like I'm past that. I feel like I'm in a good spot. The experience there before has helped me."

The long snap consistency was questioned earlier when Whitehair played center. It's the spot they put him at in 2016 as a rookie and he had his best season as a blocker, according to Pro Football Focus. He performed solidly there until getting moved between there and both guard spots for two years. Then he settled in at guard. Moving positions became the norm for Whitehair before he even played for the Bears.

"I've kind of done this my whole career," Whitehair said. "It started when I was at K-State. They moved me all around. Started playing tackle, then playing guard, this, this and this.

"So, 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."

With the Bears, he played left guard, center and right guard 

While Whitehair's position hasn't been consistent through his career, his performance has been. It's why the Bears see him ideal at age 31 for leading a line with younger players like Braxton Jones, Teven Jenkins and Darnell Wright.

"He's always positive, always energetic, he brings it every day to practice which is also great for the young guys to see that," coach Matt Eberflus said. "He's a true professional so ups or downs, he is always going to be the same guy in the building every single day.

"So we really appreciate that from him and the guys gravitate towards him because of his leadership and years of experience he's had playing multiple positions. So he's great for Braxton, he's great for Darnell, he's great for all those young guys."

As the older guy on the offensive line, Whitehair could be excused for being less than enthused last year when the team set about on a rebuild. Veterans can never be too confident of their future when rebuilds begin and Whitehair should know this as the Bears starter with the most longevity.

"I mean, it always crosses your mind," Whitehair said. "This will be my eighth year here and I take a lot of pride in wearing the 'C' and the bear on my chest. I'm very glad I'm back and look forward to this year."

He means it when he says looking forward to it.

"Yeah, I mean, that's with any year," he said. "I am getting older, too, so I'm very fortunate to still be here.

"I love what's going on here. We're going to get this thing turned around. I'm looking forward to being part of it."

Whitehair usually is rather low key but had no trouble generating enthusiasm for this season based on what he has seen in the rebuild. He sees the ingredients for a competitive team.

"I mean there's always that optimism this time of year, but you just feel it at the next level I guess, if you will," he said. "Guys are really eager to get back. Guys are eager to work for each other. We've got the right pieces this year really to make a run."

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