Chicago Bears Cut Veteran Safety Eddie Jackson and Guard Cody Whitehair, Saving $21.5 Million Against 2024 Salary Cap

Feb 15, 2024, 8:16 PM ET

The move saves Chicago an estimated $21.5 million against the 2024 salary cap.

CHICAGO — The Chicago Bears They released the veteran safety Eddie Jackson and the guard Cody Whitehairthe team announced this Thursday.

Whitehair y Jacksonwho were recruited by the previous directive of Chicagowere the players with the longest time in the squad of the Bears on both sides of the ball. The move saves Chicago an estimated $21.5 million against the 2024 salary cap.

Eddie Jackson was the longest-tenured defensive player on the Bears roster. AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

At the time of the cuts Whitehair y Jacksonlos Bears They no longer have their own player recruited before 2020 on their roster.

Whitehair later published his thanks to the organization of the Bears and to fans on their social networks.

Whitehair31 years old, was recruited by Chicago in the second round of 2016 and appeared in 124 games over eight seasons, with 118 starts. The versatile interior offensive lineman played his first three seasons in the NFL at center, before beginning to split reps at left guard in 2019-20. Whitehair He moved full-time to left guard in the 2021-22 seasons, and was projected to return to center in 2023 before an injury to Bitches Jenkins will send to Whitehair back to left guard for the first five weeks.

Once back at center in Week 6, Whitehair He was benched after some erratic snaps and concluded the 2023 season with 11 starts. It was the first campaign in which he did not start all the games in which he participated.

Jacksona fourth-round pick in 2017, started all 100 games in which he appeared over seven years in Chicago. He was a two-time elected Pro Bowl and earned honors All-Pro in 2018 as part of a defense that led to Chicago to his most recent title in the NFC Norte. A foot injury shortened each of the safety’s last three seasons, and his $18.1 million salary cap hit was the third-highest on the team’s payroll. Bears.

Jackson, 30, totaled 15 interceptions, 44 passes defended, 10 forced fumbles and 459 tackles in his career. He is tied for third in franchise history with six defensive touchdowns, five of which came in his first two seasons.

Editorial Selections

After a two-year drought without an interception (2020-21), Jackson moved from strong safety to free safety after Chicago selected Jaquan Brisker in it Draft 2022. During its resurgence season in 2022, Jackson led the Bears with four interceptions in 12 games, and became a defensive leader after Chicago transferred to the linebacker Roquan Smith and defensive end Robert Quinn.

Last season, Jackson He had one interception and 37 tackles in 12 games.

“I know that [Jackson estaba] a little beat up there, but I think his impact back there and his communication with Briskermentioned the general manager Ryan Poleswhen asked to evaluate the 2023 campaign of Jackson. “When Eddie was inside, you could tell that Brisker was really comfortable. Really, the whole group; It really impacts communication, and you can see that.”

2024-02-16 01:16:00
#Los #Chicago #Bears #cortan #Eddie #Jackson #Cody #Whitehair