If there is one thing we’ve learned about the Chicago Bears under GM Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus, they are big on accountability. They promised to hold this team to a high standard. If you don’t live up to it, you won’t play. It doesn’t matter what your draft status might be or who you might’ve been with another team. Chase Claypool found that out the hard way when the Bears dumped him after less than a season despite giving up a 2nd round pick for him. Trenton Gill, Darnell Mooney, Cody Whitehair, Eddie Jackson, and Justin Fields also got similar treatment.
Another name could soon be added to the list, which might be the most shocking yet. Most people went into this off-season presuming Nate Davis would remain the right guard in Chicago. He’d signed a hefty contract last year to handle that job. However, it appears last season left a bad taste in their mouth. Davis missed most of training camp and six regular season games with physical and mental health issues. When he actually played, he was inconsistent. Matt Eberflus made it clear at his latest presser that Davis’ grip on the starting job isn’t nearly as firm as people think.
The Chicago Bears need to see something from Davis.
Eberflus did say they expect him to be the starter, but that quote suggests they’re open to multiple possibilities. Keep this in mind. They traded for Ryan Bates from Buffalo in March. Many presume he is in competition for the center job despite his primary position in the NFL being right guard. It is possible they acquired more as insurance in case Davis continues his usual streak of not being on the field enough. They could go with Bates as right guard and put Coleman Shelton, who they signed as a free agent, at center.
The Chicago Bears have no intention of waiting for Davis to finally get himself right. This team has high expectations for the 2024 season. They aren’t going to let a guard they paid a lot of money end up derailing things because he can’t stay healthy. Unlike last year, they have an escape plan this time. If he can do anything this year, they won’t hesitate to kick him to the curb next off-season. He will only command a $2 million dead cap hit. If Davis has any plans to reach his full potential, it better be now.
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@TGena The PITT draft picks haven’t done a thing yet! IF those Steeler lineman become Pro Bowlers, then you can make that claim and praise Kahn for his selections. Until then, they’re just untapped potential waiting to prove themselves.
Like I said before, great OLs are rarely built in one draft but over years. Some “can’t miss” prospects never fulfill their potential. But, we’ll see how those Steeler lineman develop.
@Veece — A lot has transpired since the last time you noticed NFL offensive line play (which by the looks of your post seems to be 1994). Here’s what PFF had to say about the “Most Improved Offensive Lines After the 2024 Draft:” “Here are the most improved offensive lines in the league following the 2024 NFL Draft. PITTSBURGH STEELERS On paper, the offensive line rebuild the Steelers put together through the 2024 NFL Draft could go down as one of the best ever. They used three selections on the unit, all inside the top 120 picks in the draft.… Read more »
Gena has his head so far up Omar K⅕hans butt he cant see daylight. If you love khan so much go be a steeler fan. He was so smart he has a washed up Russell Wilson and a never could get it done JF as his top two players at the most important position on the team. So put that in your pipe and smoke it gena.
@TGena U R so biased and full of shit! OLs do take years to get right. For instance –
The Super Bowl 1976 Raiders OL started with Upshaw in ’67 and Shell in ’68. The 1991 Bills OL began with Will Wolford in ’86. The 1994 Steeler OL began 7 years prior with HoFer Dermonti Dawson in ’88. And one of the best OLs ever, the 1994 Cowboys started with Mark Stepnoski in ’89. I could go on. But the point is: Great OLs require years to develop let alone put together.
@TGena, You’ll get no argument from me regarding what Pittsburgh has done with their OL, especially with B. Jones last year. We just spent a big chunk of assets on a QB. A stud QB. Pittsburgh does not have a QB, and did not spend on a QB. They let Mason Rudolph go, and he was their best QB, and is about to peak.
I like our GM, but I don’t agree with every move he makes. You continue to ignore the hole he started with. It’s 3 years with limited draft picks, and a shitbag roster.