The Chicago Bears welcomed 10 new rookies to the roster in the NFL draft, but a center wasn’t among them.
Many expected Chicago to use one of their draft picks on a center, especially given it was a deep class. Instead, the Bears used seven picks to address the defense and three on offense. In fact, Chicago only drafted one offensive lineman in the draft — top pick Darnell Wright in the first round.
General manager Ryan Poles was asked about whether the Bears would look to add depth and youth in the future, but he believes the team is in “good shape” at center with veterans Cody Whitehair and Lucas Patrick.
“For right now, I feel good with Cody and Lucas both as leaders and players,” Poles said, via Courtney Cronin. “They’ve both played that position well in the past.”
The Bears signed guard Nate Davis in free agency, and it sounds like Whitehair is moving back to center, a position he last played in 2020, and one where he has plenty of experience.
When looking at how Chicago’s offensive line is shaking out, it’ll likely be Whitehair at center with Patrick serving as his backup and as a reserve along the interior.
Whitehair, who has two years left on his deal, has been a mainstay on the offensive line since he was drafted in 2016. Patrick signed a two-year deal last offseason to serve as center, but injuries limited him to just seven games in 2022.
Right now, the Bears’ expected starting offensive line is: Braxton Jones (LT), Teven Jenkins (LG), Whitehair (C), Davis (RG) and Wright (RT).
