Bears make stunning roster decision by parting ways with another major miss under general manager Ryan Poles
One day after parting ways with offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, the Chicago Bears are moving on from what turned out to be another bad decision.On Wednesday, the Bears released former starting right guard Nate Davis.Davis was one of the first big free agent signings made by general manager Ryan Poles after he agreed to a […]
One day after parting ways with offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, the Chicago Bears are moving on from what turned out to be another bad decision.
On Wednesday, the Bears released former starting right guard Nate Davis.
Davis was one of the first big free agent signings made by general manager Ryan Poles after he agreed to a 3-year, $30 million deal prior to the 2023 season.
Davis started 13 of 22 possible games for the Bears over the past two seasons and has dealt with multiple injury and personal issues since arriving in Chicago last offseason.
Davis started the season for the Bears at right guard after missing a large majority of the offseason program and training camp. However, by Week 3, Davis was replaced by Matt Pryor in the starting lineup.
In Weeks 6 and 8, the Bears listed Davis as a healthy inactive with the trade deadline approaching. The front office attempted to shop Davis to another team, but his high salary likely prevented a deal from being agreed upon.
Sunday's game against the New England Patriots was the final straw for the Bears who tried multiple times to make things work with Davis. With the team down multiple offensive linemen, Davis reported a back injury prior to kickoff and was not only ruled out, but sent home by the team.
In 16 games with the Bears over the last two seasons, Davis allowed two sacks and 35 total pressures on 477 pass blocking snaps. The divorce between the two sides was widely expected after the latest developments, but not this soon.
Following Davis' release, any team who wishes to sign the veteran offensive lineman would have to pick up $3.9 million in fully guaranteed salary, per Tom Pelissero.
If no team claims Davis off waivers, the Bears will have to pay Davis' remaining salary, even if he signs with another team later as a free agent. By releasing him now, the Bears will save $9.5 million in 2025 with $2 million in dead money.
The Bears will now have nine offensive lineman on the 53-man roster, four of which were injured or not playing due to injury during the team's previous game on Sunday. Moving on from Davis now is a very telling sign about where this relationship stood.
