The Chicago Bears are not wasting any time securing one of their crucial offensive linemen for the future. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Chicago has signed guard Cody Whitehair to a five-year, $52.5 million extension.

Whitehair was entering the final year of his rookie contract and was set to make just $1 million in 2019. The Bears starting guard has been negotiating an extension throughout the whole offseason. Whitehair's next extension includes $27.5 million in guarantees (second-largest guarantee for a guard in NFL history).

The Bears selected Whitehair in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft out of Kansas State. Since entering the NFL, Whitehair has started in 48 straight regular-season games alongside Chicago's offensive line.

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This season, Chicago is expecting Mitchell Trubisky to have a breakout season from under center. For him to do that, the offensive line will need to protect their hopeful franchise quarterback.

In 2018, Chicago allowed just 33 sacks in 16 games (tied for seventh-least in the NFL). Over the past few seasons, the Bears have built one of the NFL's best offensive lines with Whitehair being crucial to their success.

Along with Whitehair, the Bears have built their offensive line through the draft. Kyle Long, Charles Leno, James Daniels, and Whitehair were all selected by Chicago in the past six years.

Furthermore, general manager Ryan Pace deserves a ton of credit for drafting well to build a formidable group in the trenches. In 2016, the Bears signed Long to a four-year, $40 million extension. Over the past few seasons, Chicago is showing that they are willing to spend money to reward their offensive linemen and keep them intact.