The Las Vegas Raiders made a significant offensive line change in free agency.
The Silver and Black just signed guard Cody Whitehair, an experienced player who will provide the Raiders with much-needed depth at guard.
The timing of the signing was ideal, as Whitehair joined with Las Vegas on Monday, the same day the team began its optional summer workouts.
“We got Cody Whitehair in here today,” Raiders centre Andre James told reporters on Monday. “Awesome guy; I just met him today. It’s beneficial to have a veteran who brings valuable experience. “It will only benefit the entire offensive line room.”
Whitehair spent eight seasons with the Chicago Bears and will be reunited with his former offensive coordinator, Luke Getsy. He made 118 starts in 124 games with Chicago.
“Oh, it’s going to be awesome,” James said. “I was just talking to him [Whitehair] today about some of the plans and stuff they did [in Chicago]. It’s always nice to have someone who is knowledgeable with the offence, the scheme, and the system, especially in the offensive line room, to pick his brain and get some of the keys and information that he’s gained from working with the Bears for a long time. So I’m quite pleased to have him.”
James summed up the main qualities Whitehair brings to the table: expertise and familiarity with the new offence.
When James went down last season, the Raiders had to shift some players about the line, which worked out for the most part but was not ideal.
Adding someone like Whitehair to broaden the room will be critical for a Raiders club that will need a variety of options up front if they want to compete for the division’s top spot next season.
