Bears' big free agent signing a no-show during OTAs
The Chicago Bears knew they needed to overhaul the offensive line coming into the 2023 season and that's why they signed free agent guard Nate Davis to a three-year $30 million contract back in March. The offensive line is all about chemistry and this is a new offense for Davis, so one would assume he'd […]
The Chicago Bears knew they needed to overhaul the offensive line coming into the 2023 season and that's why they signed free agent guard Nate Davis to a three-year $30 million contract back in March.
The offensive line is all about chemistry and this is a new offense for Davis, so one would assume he'd make the best out of every practice opportunity he gets.
That wasn't the case, however, when the Bears started OTAs on Monday. Davis didn't show up and remained absent through Tuesday's session.
"This is a voluntary time for all the players. Some players have certain things going on and again, it's their right to be here or not here," head coach Matt Eberflus told reporters Tuesday. "But we'll coach the guys that are here. That's all I gotta say."
Davis' absence is strange, but it's not concerning nor alarming. The fifth-year player could be dealing with something in his personal life that is preventing him from attending OTAs and it could be as simple and innocuous as something like a relative's high school graduation. Still, it's easy to see why it'd be a big benefit to have him around, right now.
There were two other noticeable absences: cornerback Jaylon Johnson and safety Eddie Jackson. The latter is recovering from a foot injury that cost him the final five games of the 2022 season. Johnson is more of a mystery, however, as Eberflus confirmed Johnson has recovered from the broken finger he suffered last year.
"I think his his hand's good from last year. I think he's good to go," said Eberflus.
It's May. And, this stuff typically doesn't mean anything. At the same time, all of the above will be items to monitor over the coming days and possibly even weeks.
