Eddie Jackson, Cody Whitehair release signals start of next phase of Ryan Poles’ rebuild originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
The writing was on the wall long before the Bears made their move Thursday.
Veteran interior offensive lineman Cody Whitehair was benched last season and knew his career would continue elsewhere in 2024. Safety Eddie Jackson revitalized his career in 2022 under new head coach Matt Eberflus, but a nagging foot injury caused his play to dip in 2023. That, coupled with a cap hit of $18.1 million, made it likely that he’d be released this offseason.
Jackson sat down with NBC Sports Chicago prior to the end of the season and expressed his desire to see general manager Ryan Poles’ rebuild through to the end. But the 29-year-old also understood the business aspect of the Bears’ upcoming decision and was at peace with the fact that he might have to find a new home in 2024.
“This is where it started,” Jackson told NBC Sports Chicago in early January. “I was a part of this when it was up. I was a part of it when it was down. Now, I’m a part of it when it’s going back up, so, shoot, I’ve earned the right to be a part of it when it’s on the way up.
“Next year, man, it’s got to be. Here or somewhere else. Pray to god it’s hear, man. Got to be here. I’ve still got more left to give.”
But it won’t be. On Thursday, the Bears officially released Jackson and Whitehair, opening up an estimated $21.5 million in salary cap space and signaling the start of the next phase of Poles’ rebuild.
When Poles arrived in 2022, he had to decide which veterans to keep around to help him and Eberflus set the foundation for what they wanted to build.
Khalil Mack was traded early. Akiem Hicks wasn’t brought back. Robert Quinn and Roquan Smith didn’t make it out of the 2022 season.
On the surface, Jackson and Whitehair, especially Jackson, appeared to be easy cuts for Poles to make early in his tenure. They were accomplished veterans who carried big price tags and…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/eddie-jackson-cody-whitehair-release-165123293.html
Author : NBC Sports Chicago
Publish date : 2024-02-16 16:51:23
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