It’s Time To Bid These Two Veterans Farewell During The Offseason.
The Chicago Bears must assess the team as the off-season draws closer and choose who should be let go. The Bears ought to cut ties with these two seasoned players.
Two Veterans Excluded from the List
Eddie Jackson, Unprotected
The Chicago Bears selected Eddie Jackson in the fourth round of the 2017 draft, and ever since, he has been a fan favorite. Jackson has provided the Bears’ defense with a steady hand on the field throughout numerous coaching and managerial changes. Seeing Jackson accumulate interceptions throughout the years and rise to prominence as the Monsters of the Midway’s leader has been an absolute thrill. Jackson received a hefty top-five contract for a free safety in 2020 after he was regarded as one of the league’s top-five safeties at one point.
But in his most recent appearances, he hasn’t been the same. At $18 million, Jackson has the fourth-highest cap hit on the Bears, but his play doesn’t measure up to that of a top-5 safety. The best of the 30-year-old free safety is behind him. This offseason, the Bears could need to look into younger, less expensive possibilities at free safety.
Potential Swap: Kamren Kinchens
Kamren Kinchens, a ball-hawk safety who can make all the plays, is one of the best safety prospects. He should be able to roam the box in Chicago’s defense and support Bears strong safety Jaquan Brisker at 5’11, 202 pounds. Jackson’s efforts this season lack the physicality that Kinchens provides. The Hurricanes’ secondary is already well-known to the Bears, who just selected Tyrique Stevenson, an exceptional rookie cornerback from the University of Miami, in the previous year’s draft. By drafting Kinchens, Stevenson and Kinchens can work together again and form a backup team for the ensuing ten years.
Cody Whitehair, Center/Guard
For almost nine years, Cody Whitehair has been a reliable member of the Bears squad. Whitehair’s versatility as a center and guard has helped the Bears, especially in light of the offensive line’s numerous ailments over the last two seasons. But Whitehair has changed as a player throughout the years.
As the starting center for the Bears, Whitehair has had a terrible season due to his inability to complete blocking assignments and his inability to handle snap counts. Left guard Teven Jenkins’ injury forced Whitehair back into the starting lineup, but he hasn’t improved his play.
Potential Swap: Tanor Bortolini
Tanor Bortolini is a less well-known prospect in the forthcoming draft than Kinchens. The 6’4 and 314-pound lineman offers the Bears the same versatility that Whitehair possesses. Bortolini has proven to be adaptable during his four years with the Wisconsin Badgers, starting at center, guard, and tackle. Bortolini is a significant asset for any NFL team, despite being slated for later rounds of the selection due to his explosive quickness and versatility. Bortolini can be developed by the Bears to become an even more potent form of Whitehair.
Thank You to the Two Veterans
Even though Jackson and Whitehair aren’t as good of players as they once were, they still have value. Whitehair and Jackson have fulfilled every expectation of Bears supporters. influential figures who perfectly capture the essence of being a Chicago Bear. Having to split ways with them both is difficult. Conversely, the Bears need to free up as much contract room as they can in order to add players who have an impact if they want to become more competitive. No ill will.
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