8 Thoughts On The Bears Signing RB Mike Davis And CB Buster Skrine

The NFL’s legal tampering period for free agency began today and the Chicago Bears agreed to terms with two players on Day 1: RB Mike Davis and CB Buster Skrine.

Former #Seahawks RB Mike Davis is signing with the #Bears, source said. The former practice squad earns his first big payday.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 11, 2019

It’s a 3-year deal worth $16.5M with $8.5M guaranteed, source said. https://t.co/l6eCOqpWhm

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 11, 2019

A few thoughts on these early moves…

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Thoughts

1. Mike Davis is a fantastic fit in Matt Nagy’s offense and is a certain upgrade over Taquan Mizzell. He has a decent mix of speed, power, balance and vision. He never got a real chance to succeed in Seattle, though, and that’s why his contract is rather inexpensive. It’s reportedly a a two-year deal worth a maximum of $7M.

I like this move. Mike Davis is significantly better than Taquan Mizzell and will deserve any carries he gets in the RB3 spot. https://t.co/8DRn6AXtWa

— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) March 11, 2019

2. As I mentioned in the tweet above, Davis is likely going to replace Taquan Mizzell at this stage, and he is a significant upgrade over Mizzell. It’s unlikely that Davis’ purpose is to replace Jordan Howard, however. The Bears will continue to explore their options with Howard; keeping him is certainly one of them. But the Bears aren’t done retooling the RB position. Expect more moves here.

3. Here’s an example of Davis’ strengths summarized in one play. He’s got game.

Here’s a 20-yard Mike Davis TD run from last year. Change of direction, burst and vision. All look like things Matt Nagy values in a running back. #ImgPlay pic.twitter.com/CWxFGQ9R2t

— JJ Stankevitz (@JJStankevitz) March 11, 2019

3. There were several reports today that the Bears were in on Le’Veon Bell. Though this deal doesn’t necessarily take them out of the running in theory, it isn’t happening. Let’s not worry about it.

4. Buster Skrine is a solid cornerback. He gets a bad rap from Jets’ fans who saw him struggle (on the surface) in New York, but he is aggressive, a very good blitzer, covers relatively well, and is extremely versatile. And keep in mind, he gets to play in the Bears’ defense now with significant talent around him.

He’s 29, so a bit older than Bryce Callahan, but he’s durable and fits exactly what Chuck Pagano values in his players. And at the < $6M AAV they got him for? That’s a steal.

Buster Skrine can play anywhere in that Secondary. That’s the key to the signing. Allows flexibility in the draft. Buster can hold his own, he’s aggressive just like Pagano likes them. Nagy is big fan. Sounds like a good fit.

— Mike Brez (@mikebrez5) March 11, 2019

5. Buster Skrine’s arrival almost certainly signals the end of Bryce Callahan’s tenure in Chicago. Thank you, Bryce, for the memories, and best of luck wherever you end up!

6. Here are Matt Nagy’s words on Buster Skrine last October before the Bears took on the Jets at Soldier Field.

#Bears coach Matt Nagy in October on nickel back Buster Skrine, who is now expected to be signed: "He’s one of the better nickels in this league, if not the best. I mean, he’s good. He’s a good nickel in there."

— Adam Jahns (@adamjahns) March 11, 2019

7. The Bears aren’t close to done retooling the roster. They have several moves left to make — kicker, safety, EDGE depth, OL depth, RB depth, etc. And they have more than enough cap space to work with. Expect more moves in the second wave of free agency.

8. I didn’t expect the Bears to get involved on Day 1 of free agency, but they got better today and at very reasonable prices. They have more work to do, but the 2019 offseason is already off to a fantastic start for the Bears.