Raiders free agency: 5 things about Cody Whitehair

Getting to know the new guard

The Las Vegas Raiders’ added guard Cody Whitehair in free agency this week.

We will be getting to know him more very quickly, but here are five aspects of Whitehair the player and person that Raiders fans should know:

Versatile, but most a right guard:

Whitehair, who is entering his ninth NFL season after spending his first entire career with the Chicago Bears, has started at center, right guard and at left guard. He currently likely fits in as a potential starter at left guard. But most of his guard starts at right guard. He’s played just three games at left guard. The Raiders could move Dylan Parham to the right side if they think Whitehair is best suited at left guard.

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Luke Getsy’s first guy:

Whitehair is the first Raiders’ addition this offseason who has experience with new offensive coordinator Luke Getsy. He was the Bears’ offensive coordinator the past two seasons before being fired. So, Getsy clearly played a role in Whitehair now being in Las Vegas and his knowledge of Getsy should help Whitehair and his new offensive linemates,

Bounce-back season?

Getsy, who turns 32 in July, started a career-low 11 games in 2023. Yet, he was healthy all seasons. He some league observers thought Whitehair showed a lack of power last season and perhaps some signs of wearing down a 2022 season in which he missed five games due to injury. He was cut in February. So, he has an opportunity to have a comeback season with the Raiders.

Has had success at center:

Whitehair had early success in the NFL at center and spent most of his early career there. In fact, he played every snap in the 2018 season and was named a Pro Bowl center there. It’s something to think about if Raiders’ starter Andre James suffers an injury during the season and the Raiders want to keep Parham (he played center for an injured James last season) at guard. Whitehair gives the Raiders more options.

Small-town guy:

Whitehair had a reputation in Chicago as a good teammate who was a humble player. It may be his roots. The Kansas State product hails from Alibene, Kansas a team of just more 6,000 people. The town also happens to be the home of Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum. Eisenhower, the 34th President of the United States, was raised there.