The switch gives the Bears the luxury of having an experienced backup center in the starting lineup as 44 of Whitehair’s 48 starts over the last three seasons have come at the position. He was at his best last year, a season after the Bears moved him around as injuries forced changes. Whitehair made two starts at left guard, 12 starts at center and two starts at right guard. Settling into one position last season, Whitehair worked through shotgun snapping issues over the summer and had a fine season, finishing with only three penalties after being called for 13 in his first two seasons.