The Chicago Bears may not be done dipping into the Detroit Lions’ roster this offseason.
After already signing wide receiver Kalif Raymond early in free agency, there is growing buzz that Chicago could look to make a similar low-risk move on the defensive side of the ball. One name starting to surface is veteran pass rusher Marcus Davenport, who remains available late into free agency.
“Chicago shouldn’t just stop there with the Raymond signing,” Yahoo Sports’ Jovan Alford wrote. “One player who should be on their watchlist next is Marcus Davenport.”
It’s not a move that would dominate headlines, but it fits a team need. It would also provide another depth piece the Bears have quietly prioritized.
Bears Could View Marcus Davenport as Low-Risk Depth Piece
Davenport’s recent production won’t jump off the page, especially after an injury-plagued stint in Detroit. Over 10 games with the Lions, he recorded just 1.5 sacks along with 10 quarterback pressures and seven quarterback hits.
Still, the context matters.
Injuries have consistently disrupted Davenport’s career. Over the past three seasons with the Lions and Vikings, Davenport has only played in 14 total games.
However, when healthy, he has shown the ability to impact games at a high level. During his time with the New Orleans Saints, he totaled 21.5 sacks, 25 tackles for loss, and 60 quarterback hits across 63 games. His best season came in 2021 when he recorded nine sacks in 11 games.
That version of Davenport is what makes this idea intriguing for Chicago.
At age 29, he wouldn’t be expected to carry the pass rush, but he could provide rotational depth behind the Bears’ primary edge defenders. At this stage of free agency, those are the types of swings that can quietly pay off.
Dennis Allen Connection Could Be Key for Bears
One factor that makes this potential move more than just speculation is the familiarity between Davenport and Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen.
Allen coached Davenport during his time in New Orleans, where the former first-round pick played some of the best football of his career. That relationship could give Chicago confidence that there is still something to unlock.
“If there’s one person who can get him back on track, it’s Dennis Allen,” Alford noted.
Financially, the move would also align with where the Bears currently stand. Spotrac projects Davenport’s market value at around a one-year, $1.9 million deal, making him an affordable option if Chicago can create a bit of cap space.
It’s not the splash move some fans may be waiting for, especially with bigger names like Joey Bosa and Jadeveon Clowney still floating around. But given where things stand late in free agency, this is the type of NFC North swing that could make sense.
After already taking one piece from Ben Johnson’s former team, the Bears could go back for another.
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