Cody Whitehair Bio
Cody Michael Whitehair (born July 11, 1992) is an American professional football guard who has spent most of his career anchoring the offensive line in the National Football League. Drafted by the Chicago Bears in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft, Whitehair built a reputation as a durable and dependable interior lineman. After eight seasons in Chicago, he joined the Las Vegas Raiders in 2024 and continues to play at the professional level.
A former standout at Kansas State University, Whitehair earned All-Big 12 recognition multiple times before transitioning to the NFL, where he became a long-term starter and a Pro Bowl selection. His combination of size, technique, and football intelligence has allowed him to start games at both guard and center during his career.
Early Life and Background
Cody Michael Whitehair was born on July 11, 1992, in Kearney, Nebraska. He grew up in Abilene, Kansas, where he attended Abilene High School and developed into one of the top high school linemen in the state. At Abilene, he played both sides of the line as a two-way varsity player for the Cowboys, logging significant production as both a blocker and a defender.
During his senior season, Whitehair was credited with 140 pancake blocks on offense while also recording 81 total tackles and 15 sacks on defense. His performance earned him a spot on PrepStar magazine’s All-Midlands Region team, and he helped lead Abilene to a 10-1 record before a second-round loss to Buhler in the KSHSAA 4A state playoffs. That dual-threat production highlighted the toughness and athleticism that would later define his college recruitment.
Path to Professional Football
After high school, Whitehair committed to Kansas State University, where he joined the Wildcats football program. He redshirted during his first year on campus in 2011 before settling into a starting role at guard in 2012 and 2013. His steady play at the college level established him as one of the most reliable interior linemen in the Big 12 Conference.
Prior to his junior year in 2014, Whitehair shifted to offensive tackle, where he started both his junior and senior seasons. The position change broadened his skill set and helped him earn postseason recognition, including First-team All-Big 12 honors in 2015 and Second-team All-Big 12 selections in 2013 and 2014. His versatility along the offensive line made him an attractive prospect for NFL teams evaluating interior trench players.
Cody Whitehair Career
Early Career (2016-2017)
Cody Michael Whitehair entered the NFL when the Chicago Bears selected him in the second round, 56th overall, of the 2016 NFL Draft. He was originally scheduled to compete for a guard role, but a season-ending injury to 2015 third-round pick Hroniss Grasu during training camp pushed him into the starting left guard spot during the preseason. When Chicago signed veteran guard Josh Sitton, the team shifted Whitehair to center, a position he had not played regularly at the professional level.
Despite the late change, Whitehair started all 16 games at center as a rookie and was named to the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team. His immediate impact at a new position signaled the start of a long-term role in the middle of the Bears’ offensive line.
Chicago Bears Breakthrough (2018-2020)
In 2018, Whitehair played every offensive snap for the Bears and was named to the 2019 Pro Bowl. The selection made him the first Bears center since Olin Kreutz to earn a Pro Bowl nod, a notable milestone for a franchise with a deep history at the position. He was also the only Bears player on either side of the ball to participate in every down that season.
Before the 2019 season, Whitehair moved to left guard as the Bears shifted James Daniels to center. On September 1, 2019, he signed a five-year contract extension worth $52.5 million with $27.5 million guaranteed, cementing his status as a core piece of Chicago’s offensive line. Later that season, amid a four-game losing streak and offensive struggles, Whitehair returned to the center position in November. In 2020, he was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on November 6 and activated on November 16, navigating the unique challenges of that season while maintaining his starting role.
Las Vegas Raiders Era (2024-Present)
After spending the 2016 through 2023 seasons with the Chicago Bears, Whitehair was released by the team on February 15, 2024. He quickly found a new home, signing a one-year deal with the Las Vegas Raiders on April 15, 2024. The move gave him an opportunity to continue his career with a franchise in need of experienced offensive line help.
With the Raiders, Whitehair has added veteran leadership to the offensive line room, drawing on more than a decade of NFL experience at guard and center. His ability to play multiple positions across the interior line remains one of his most valued traits as he continues his professional career.
Driving Style and Strengths
Whitehair is recognized for his intelligence, technique, and consistency along the offensive line. His college experience at both guard and tackle, combined with extended NFL reps at center and guard, has made him one of the more versatile interior linemen of his generation. Coaches have frequently leaned on his communication skills and pre-snap recognition to stabilize the offensive line.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining milestones of Whitehair’s career came in 2018, when he became the first Bears center since Olin Kreutz to play in the Pro Bowl. He also played every offensive snap that season, underscoring his durability. Other key moments include his five-year, $52.5 million contract extension in 2019 and his Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team selection in 2016.
Cody Whitehair Career Wins
Cody Michael Whitehair’s career has been defined less by traditional counting statistics and more by sustained starting production, postseason recognition, and team leadership along the offensive line. As an interior lineman, his wins are measured through accolades, durability milestones, and team success rather than headline-grabbing individual numbers.
Chicago Bears Highlights
During his eight seasons with the Chicago Bears, Whitehair started the majority of his games and became a fixture in the middle of the offensive line. He earned Pro Bowl honors in 2018 and was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2016, marking the two most prominent individual awards of his Bears tenure. His first major NFL recognition came in his rookie year after starting all 16 games at center.
Other Wins and Performances
At the college level, Whitehair was a multi-year All-Big 12 performer, earning Second-team All-Big 12 honors in 2013 and 2014 before being named First-team All-Big 12 in 2015. He started at both guard and tackle during his Kansas State career, helping anchor a competitive Wildcats offensive line.
Cody Whitehair Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Cody Michael Whitehair’s immediate family is limited. He was raised in Abilene, Kansas, where he attended Abilene High School and developed into a multi-sport high school athlete.
Personal Life
Details about Whitehair’s marital status, spouse, and children are not publicly confirmed in available sources. He has primarily been recognized for his work on the field and his long-standing presence in NFL locker rooms.
2025 Season Outlook
Heading into the 2025 season, Cody Michael Whitehair enters a new chapter with the Las Vegas Raiders after joining the team on a one-year deal in April 2024. His veteran presence is expected to be a stabilizing force for an offensive line that has undergone significant turnover. Coaches and teammates have pointed to his communication skills and positional versatility as key assets heading into the year.
As a player who has started games at guard and center, Whitehair offers the Raiders flexibility along the interior line. His ability to play every snap at a high level, as he did during the 2018 season in Chicago, remains a benchmark for what he can bring to the Las Vegas offensive line room. The 2025 campaign will be an opportunity for him to extend his career and reinforce his reputation as one of the league’s most dependable interior linemen.