The Chicago Bears may still find a way to utilize former starting guard and his remaining $30 million contract for the 2024 season, provided they can locate a trade partner before the upcoming NFL trade deadline.
Davis’s relationship with the Bears has soured over the first six weeks of the season. The team replaced him as the starting right guard with veteran Matt Pryor ahead of Week 3’s game against the Indianapolis Colts. By Week 6, Davis was not even included in the depth chart for the London game, with Bill Murray taking his place.
Although the Bears appear satisfied with their interior offensive line without Davis, other teams facing challenges with their own line may show interest in the 28-year-old guard, especially given his experience, before the October 5 trade deadline.
Bleacher Report’s Scouting Department even suggested that the Colts should consider acquiring Davis, recommending him as a potential replacement for starting right guard Will Fries, who was placed on injured reserve on October 7 after undergoing surgery on his tibia.
“Elsewhere, Nate Davis was just benched in Chicago,” BR’s Scouting Department wrote on October 14. “The Bears might be willing to part with the veteran after he failed to live up to his contract. It’s not the most ideal scenario for the Colts, but Davis is at least an experienced veteran with a decent baseline of production.”
Bears Left Nate Davis Inactive for Win Over Jaguars
If the Colts are interested in Davis, the Bears likely wouldn’t ask for a high trade price. They might even be open to accepting a late Day 3 draft pick to relieve themselves of Davis’ contract, which extends through the end of the 2025 season.
However, the crucial question remains: Why would any team want to trade for Davis?
He has started 67 of his 71 career games since being drafted in the third round in 2019, suggesting he has the experience a team might seek to strengthen its offensive line. Yet, it’s telling that the Bears have chosen not to play him despite their struggles in that area and the significant salary they are paying him—his cap hit for 2024 is $11.35 million.
The most striking indication of his diminished value is the Bears’ recent decision to leave him inactive for Week 6’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Even after losing his starting position, the Bears opted for Murray, who had just made his NFL debut in Week 5, as the backup guard instead of Davis.
While a team like the Colts might be desperate enough to consider taking a chance on Davis, it’s hard to see anyone viewing his situation in Chicago as a compelling reason to acquire him.
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