Anyone who has followed the Chicago Bears for long enough knows one thing about Cody Whitehair. He is anything but outspoken. The guy does interviews but never comes across as somebody with an opinion. He keeps his answers calm and even. This is not somebody liable to stir the pot. So when he delivers a quote that can be categorized as animated, at least for him, that is noteworthy. That is why his comments on Ryan Poles and Matt Eberflus were so interesting.
During a podcast appearance on Sports Krung with David Kromelow, Whitehair was asked about his impressions of the new GM and head coach. He expressed an appreciation for Poles’ offensive line background and the similar mentality he brings to his new job. Yet what stands out the most is how swiftly he and Eberflus have reshaped the locker room culture. It is a change that has the veteran guard more than a little intrigued.
“He and Coach Eberflus have really put together a good team and a great group of coaches. We just had our minicamp this past week, our voluntary minicamp, and it’s…it’s awesome, man. What we got going on and the culture they’re building here, it makes me really excited. So, so far so good. Great first impression.”
High praise from somebody that has every reason to be jaded.
Remember, Whitehair has spent most of his career buying into failed promises from guys like John Fox and Matt Nagy. So for Eberflus to win him over so quickly is a testament to his charisma and leadership. The 51-year-old head coach came in with a plan. He knows exactly what he wants his Bears team to be. There are no muddy interpretations. This team will hustle, play with intensity, play fast, and play smart.
Presenting such a clear message allows the players to think less, resulting in them playing faster. One could argue that was the problem Nagy ran into during his tenure. His offense was so convoluted and forced his players to think that it led to constant mental mistakes and zero cohesion. Smart players are a good thing, but not when the information is difficult to digest and process.
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Whitehair sounds jacked up for what is to come. If that is true of him, one can only imagine how some of his other teammates feel about Matt Eberflus.
