The Chicago Bears have released safety Eddie Jackson and offensive lineman Cody Whitehair, who become the first salary cap casualties of the offseason for general manager Ryan Poles.
Jackson and Whitehair were among the longest-tenured Bears players on the roster. But the moves don’t necessarily come as a surprise considering their massive salary cap hits for the 2024 season ($18.14 million and $13.25 million, respectively).
So how do those cuts impact Chicago’s salary cap for the 2024 season?
The Bears cleared up $21.71 million in salary cap space with Jackson and Whitehair’s releases ($12.56 million for Jackson; $9.15 million for Whitehair, per Over The Cap).
Chicago now have $67 million in available cap space for the 2024 season — third most in the league, per OTC — with free agency just around the corner.
Jackson, a fourth-round pick by the Bears in 2017, totaled 459 tackles, 15 interceptions, 44 pass breakups, 10 forced fumbles, six fumble recoveries, 14 tackles-for-loss and 2.0 sacks in seven seasons with Chicago. He also scored six defensive touchdowns, which is tied for the third-most in franchise history.
Whitehair, a second-round pick by the Bears in 2016, appeared in 124 games, including 118 starts, in eight seasons with Chicago. He spent his first three years at center before moving back to his natural guard position. Whitehair was named to the Pro Bowl in 2018.
Safety is expected to be a top priority this offseason for the Bears after Jackson’s release. They’ll look to free agency and/or the NFL draft to find a running mate for starter Jaquan Brisker. The interior offensive line will also be a focal point following Chicago’s struggles to find a reliable starting center.