Cody Whitehair Bio
Cody Michael Whitehair is an American professional football guard who has played in the National Football League since 2016. Born on July 11, 1992, in Kearney, Nebraska, Whitehair has established himself as a reliable and versatile offensive lineman throughout his NFL career. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft and has since earned Pro Bowl recognition and built a reputation as a durable player at the center and guard positions.
Early Life and Background
Whitehair grew up in Abilene, Kansas, where he attended Abilene High School. During his senior year at Abilene High School, Whitehair played as a two-way lineman for the Cowboys football varsity. He delivered an impressive performance with 140 pancake blocks and recorded 81 total tackles, including 15 sacks, as Abilene finished with a 10-1 record before losing to Buhler in the KSHSAA 4A state playoffs. His outstanding play earned him a spot on PrepStar magazine’s All-Midlands Region team.
This strong high school career laid the foundation for Whitehair’s transition to collegiate football at the Division I level. His combination of size, strength, and football intelligence made him an attractive prospect for major college programs seeking offensive line talent.
Path to Professional Football
Whitehair chose to continue his football career at Kansas State University, joining the Kansas State Wildcats program in 2011. After redshirting his freshman season, he worked his way into the starting lineup and became a guard starter beginning in 2012. His development continued through 2013 as he gained valuable experience along the Wildcats offensive line.
Prior to his junior season in 2014, Whitehair made a position transition, moving from guard to offensive tackle. This versatility proved beneficial to his development as a complete offensive lineman. He started at tackle during his junior and senior seasons, showcasing his ability to protect the quarterback’s blind side against collegiate pass rushers. His consistent performance at Kansas State culminated in First-team All-Big 12 honors in 2015, with earlier Second-team All-Big 12 recognition in 2013 and 2014.
Cody Whitehair Career
Chicago Bears (2016-2023)
Whitehair entered the NFL when the Chicago Bears selected him in the second round with the 56th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. His rookie campaign took an unexpected turn when Hroniss Grasu, the team’s starting center, suffered a season-ending injury during training camp. Whitehair stepped in at left guard during the preseason but then shifted to center after the Bears signed veteran guard Josh Sitton. He started all 16 games at center and earned a place on the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team, signaling his readiness for professional competition.
The 2018 season became a milestone year for Whitehair. He played every single offensive snap for the Bears that season and was selected to the 2019 Pro Bowl, becoming the first Bears center since Olin Kreutz to earn that distinction. Whitehair was the only Bears player on either side of the ball to participate in every single down that season, demonstrating his durability and reliability. In September 2019, he signed a five-year contract extension worth $52.5 million with $27.5 million guaranteed, reflecting the team’s confidence in his abilities.
Following the extension, the Bears moved Whitehair back to left guard before the 2019 season, with James Daniels shifting to center. When the offense struggled during a four-game losing streak in November 2019, Whitehair returned to his natural center position to stabilize the line. The 2020 season brought unique challenges as he was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list in November before being activated later that month. In 2022, Whitehair suffered a knee injury in Week 4 and was placed on injured reserve in October, though he returned to action in November. The Chicago Bears released Whitehair on February 15, 2024, ending his eight-season tenure with the franchise.
Las Vegas Raiders (2024-Present)
Whitehair joined a new team in April 2024, signing a one-year contract with the Las Vegas Raiders on April 15. This move marked a fresh start for the veteran offensive lineman as he joined a Raiders franchise looking to build consistency along their offensive line. His experience and versatility provide valuable depth and mentorship potential for a team seeking to develop younger talent along the offensive front.
Playing Style and Strengths
Whitehair has built his NFL reputation on consistency, durability, and positional versatility. His ability to play both center and guard has made him a valuable asset for teams seeking lineup flexibility. His experience as both a guard and tackle during his college career translated well to the NFL, where he has demonstrated the footwork and technique needed to handle speed rushers at the tackle position while also possessing the strength for interior line play at guard and center.
Notable Events and Milestones
Whitehair’s career highlights include his Pro Bowl selection in 2018, a season in which he played every single offensive snap for the Bears. His $52.5 million contract extension in 2019 represented a significant milestone, demonstrating how his performance had elevated him among NFL offensive linemen. His rookie-year starting assignment following an unexpected injury to a draft pick showcased his readiness to contribute immediately at the professional level.
Cody Whitehair Career Wins and Achievements
Throughout his NFL career, Whitehair has established himself as a reliable starter with impressive durability and consistent performance at multiple offensive line positions. His career statistics reflect his reliability, with significant game and start counts accumulated over eight seasons.
NFL Career Highlights
Whitehair’s most notable professional achievement remains his Pro Bowl selection following the 2018 season, when he became the first Bears center since Olin Kreutz to earn that honor. His All-Rookie Team selection in 2016 demonstrated his immediate impact at the professional level. With 136 games played and 121 starts across his NFL career through 2024, Whitehair has consistently demonstrated the durability that NFL teams value in offensive linemen.
College and Pre-Professional Achievements
Prior to his NFL career, Whitehair earned recognition at the collegiate level with First-team All-Big 12 honors in 2015 at Kansas State. He also received Second-team All-Big 12 recognition in both 2013 and 2014, establishing himself as one of the top offensive linemen in the conference during his time with the Wildcats. His high school career in Abilene, Kansas, showed early promise with impressive statistical production as both a run blocker and defender.
Cody Whitehair Family
Family Background
While specific details about Whitehair’s parents and family background remain private, his athletic background and successful transition to Division I football and the NFL suggest a supportive family environment that nurtured his football development from an early age in Abilene, Kansas.
Personal Life
Whitehair maintains a public profile through social media, where he connects with fans under the handle whitehair55 on Instagram. He continues to reside in the NFL landscape as a player, having relocated to Nevada following his signing with the Las Vegas Raiders. Information regarding his marital status, spouse, or children has not been made publicly available.
2025 Season Performance
As Whitehair enters the 2025 season with the Las Vegas Raiders, he brings a wealth of experience to an offensive line room that can benefit from his versatility and leadership. His familiarity with both guard and center positions gives the Raiders coaching staff flexibility in constructing their offensive line rotation. The veteran lineman’s durability record, including seasons where he played every single down, provides a model of consistency for younger players to emulate. Whitehair’s primary focus continues to be maintaining his performance level while helping elevate the Raiders’ running game and pass protection as the team works to improve its standing in the AFC West division.