The Chicago Bears have found their future quarterback in Caleb Williams, but they might part ways with guard Nate Davis before the first overall pick reaches his full potential. Davis, who signed a three-year, $30 million contract in 2023, was expected to help protect then-quarterback Justin Fields during the season. However, he struggled with a 52.9 PFF grade, ranking 58th out of 79 eligible players. His performance hasn’t improved in 2024, with a current grade of 53.2, placing him as the 59th-best guard in the NFL (this does not include his Week 5 performance, as those grades are not finalized yet).
According to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, the Bears are looking to extend offensive lineman Teven Jenkins and might cut Davis to make that happen. While his $30 million contract has kept him on the roster thus far, he has no guaranteed money for 2025. It’s likely the Bears will release him before or during the 2025 league year, but this may not signal the end of his career. While a trade seems unlikely due to his contract, teams in need, like the Baltimore Ravens or New Orleans Saints, might be interested in signing the veteran to a cheap, prove-it deal.
The Ravens are still searching for replacements after losing both starting guards in the offseason. While guard isn’t the most critical position, every advantage counts, and they could benefit from a player like Davis if he becomes available. Daniel Faalele and Andrew Vorhees have struggled to fill the void left by Pro Bowlers Kevin Zeitler and John Simpson, and former third-round pick Ben Cleveland has been underperforming.
On the other hand, the Saints, who are 2-2 but could easily be 4-0, need to solidify their offensive line to support quarterback Derek Carr. With injuries ravaging the unit, they may find value in signing Davis to bolster their depth as they aim for a playoff return in 2024.
