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The moves reportedly saved the Bears -- who
have the No. 1 pick in this year's draft -- $21.71 million
against the 2024 salary cap. The Bears now have $67 million in
available cap space, third-most in the league, according to Over
the Cap.
Jackson, 30, came to the Bears in 2017 as a fourth-round pick
out of Alabama. All 100 appearances over seven seasons were
starts, and he racked up 459 tackles, 15 interceptions, 10
forced fumbles and six fumble recoveries.
Named first-team All-Pro in 2018 and to the Pro Bowl in 2018 and
2019, Jackson's six defensive touchdowns tied him with Lance
Briggs for third in Bears history, behind only Charles Tillman
(nine) and Mike Brown (seven).
A foot injury ended Jackson's 2022 season in Week 12 and limited
him to 12 games in 2023, when he notched 37 tackles, one
interception and five pass breakups.
Whitehair, 31, was drafted out of Kansas State in the second
round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He played both center and guard in
124 games (118 starts) over eight seasons with the Bears.
Whitehair was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2018, when the Bears
finished 12-4 on the way to the NFC North title.
The moves make long-snapper Patrick Scales, who joined the team
in 2015, the longest-tenured Bear.
--Field Level Media
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