As the weeks go by, it appears increasingly probable that the Chicago Bears will part ways with guard Nate Davis before the conclusion of his three-year, $30 million contract. Longtime Bears insider Brad Biggs has pointed out the signs of this impending move.
In his “10 Thoughts on Week 4” column dated September 30, Biggs devoted a section to Davis, suggesting that unless the player experiences a “complete turnaround,” it is likely the Bears will move on after this season. He noted, “Davis is signed through the 2025 season, but the guaranteed money in his contract expires at the end of this year, making it easy to speculate on his future with the team.” Biggs emphasized that the Bears need to avoid being pressured into a contract they’re uncomfortable with for Teven Jenkins, who is a free agent in 2025.
While Biggs focused on Jenkins and the importance of accurate evaluations, he also implied that Davis’s poor performance has made it difficult to justify his continued presence on the roster. This assessment reflects a challenging outlook for the 28-year-old.
The Bears stand to gain $9.5 million in cap savings by releasing Davis during the 2025 offseason.
Davis’s Struggles and Benchings
Davis faced a tumultuous first season with the Bears in 2023, battling injuries and personal challenges, including a death in the family. He missed significant training time and six regular-season games, raising questions about the front office’s investment in him.
As the team entered a new era with No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams in 2024, hopes were high for Davis to redeem himself. Pro Football Focus even listed him as a top bounce-back candidate for the upcoming season. However, just a few months later, Davis’s situation has deteriorated.
In training camp, he missed several practices due to injury, leading to frustration among the coaching staff regarding his practice habits. In Week 1, the Bears attempted to rotate him with veteran Ryan Bates, but a subsequent injury to Bates forced Davis to remain in the lineup.
Davis played all 70 snaps in a Week 2 loss to the Houston Texans, but his inconsistent play led to a benching in Week 3 in favor of Matt Pryor, who had joined the team on a veteran-minimum contract. This change persisted into Week 4.
Though the Bears have been cautious in their public comments about Davis, the decision to bench him while paying him $8.75 million in guaranteed salary speaks volumes.
Future Opportunities for Davis
If Jenkins is unable to play due to a bruised rib, Davis could find himself back in the starting lineup for the Week 5 matchup against the Carolina Panthers. Bears head coach Matt Eberflus stated that Jenkins is day-to-day, leaving the door open for a potential return to action for Davis.
If Jenkins misses time, the Bears could again opt for a different alignment when Bates is eligible to return from injured reserve. However, if necessary, the team may have no choice but to start Davis against the Panthers. For Davis, this could be a crucial opportunity to prove himself if he hopes to remain with the Bears beyond this season.