With the off-season nearing the corner, the Chicago Bears must evaluate the team and decide who needs to be let go this off-season. Here are two veterans the Bears should part ways with.
Two Veterans Who Didn’t Make The Cut
Eddie Jackson, Free Safety
Eddie Jackson has been a fan favorite ever since the Chicago Bears drafted him in the fourth round in 2017. Amidst various coaching and management changes, Jackson has been a steady hand on the field for the Bears’ defense. It truly has been a pleasure watching Jackson get various interceptions over the years and become the leader of the Monsters of the Midway. At one point, Jackson was widely recognized as a top-five safety in the league, earning him a lucrative top-five contract for a free safety in 2020.
However, his hasn’t been the same in recent performances. Despite being the fourth-highest cap hit on the Bears at $18 million, Jackson’s play doesn’t align with the standards of a top-5 safety. The 30-year-old free safety’s best days are behind him. The Bears may need to explore younger, more cost-effective options at the free safety position this off-season.
Cutting Jackson saves Chicago $12.14 million, with a $5.83 dead cap.
Possible Replacement: Kamren Kinchens
One of the top safety prospects, Kamren Kinchens, is a ball-hawk safety who can make all the plays. At 5’11, 202 pounds, he should complement Bears’ strong safety Jaquan Brisker and be able to roam the box in Chicago’s defense. Kinchens brings a level of physicality that is lacking in Jackson’s performances this season. Given the Bears’ recent selection of the impressive rookie cornerback Tyrique Stevenson from the University of Miami in last year’s draft, there is already familiarity with the talent in the Hurricanes’ secondary. Drafting Kinchens can reunite Stevenson and Kinchens and create a secondary duo for the next decade.
Cody Whitehair, Guard/Center
Cody Whitehair has been a consistent presence on the Bears for nearly a decade. With the offensive line having a multitude of injuries over the past couple of seasons, Whitehair’s ability to play both the center and guard position has been beneficial for the Bears. However, Whitehair isn’t the same player he once was.
Whitehair has faced a challenging season, encountering difficulties executing blocking assignments and struggling with snaps as the Bears starting center. Whitehair has continued to underperform despite being reinserted into the starting lineup due to an injury to left guard Teven Jenkins.
Cutting Whitehair saves Chicago $8.75 million, with a $4.14 dead cap.
Possible Replacement: Tanor Bortolini
Unlike Kinchens, Tanor Bortolini is a more under-the-radar prospect in the upcoming draft. The 6’4, 314-pound lineman has the versatility that Whitehair has provided the Bears. Throughout his four-year career with the Wisconsin Badgers, Bortolini has demonstrated flexibility by starting at center, guard, and tackle. Despite being projected for later rounds in the draft, Bortolini’s explosive athleticism and adaptability make him a valuable asset for any NFL team. The Bears can develop Bortolini and forge him to become a better version of Whitehair.
Appreciation of the Two Veterans
Although Jackson and Whitehair haven’t been the players they used to be, they deserve some love. Both Jackson and Whitehair have been everything Bears fans have hoped. Impact leaders who exemplify what it means to be a Chicago Bear. It’s hard to part ways with both of them. On the contrary, if the Bears want to become more competitive, they must create as much cap space as possible to sign impact players. No hard feelings.
Main Photo: [Jonathan Hui] – USA Today Sports
