The Chicago Bears moved on from Cody Whitehair this offseason. While most fans will say good riddance and it was one year too late, other fans realize that Whitehair was not the best, but versatility is hard to come by. Whitehair could start at all three positions easily. Even if they have better starters, they need to replace that depth. One name to keep an eye on in free agency in Ben Bredeson. Is this a player the Bears should sign this offseason?
Is Ben Bredeson a great Cody Whitehair replacement for the Chicago Bears in free agency?
Bredeson was a former fourth-round pick from Michigan. He spent one year with the Baltimore Ravens before being traded to the New York Giants after just one season. He spent the final three years of his rookie contract on the Giants.
Bredeson started nine games in his first two years before starting 16 games for the Giants in 2023. A lot of that was due to injury, and he had to start at left guard, center, and right guard, but as we noted, versatility goes a long way in the NFL.
Overall, Bredeson has 972 snaps at left guard, 487 snaps at right guard, and 376 snaps at center, and he even has 60 snaps as an extra offensive lineman. He is more known for being in a power running scheme and may not be the perfect fit, but he also has a combination of experience and versatility that happens to cross off two huge needs the Bears have when looking at their offensive line room.
He is younger than Whitehair and would bring a lot of the same skills that he brought last year, with potential to be uprgaded.
Bredeson will not be costly in free agency for someone with six starts at center last year. The Chicago Bears have to consider signing Ben Bredeson in free agency this offseason.