The Chicago Bears gave Nate Davis a large three-year contract in March 2023, believing he was a perfect fit for their offense. He was big, strong, and athletic. Unfortunately, as is often the case in free agency, they had no definitive way of measuring Davis’ commitment to the game. Since arriving in Chicago, a few things have become apparent. He has a poor work ethic, reportedly hates practice, and has a growing reputation for suffering constant injury setbacks. The fact he popped up this week for a groin issue was hardly a surprise.
Anybody with eyes could see that head coach Matt Eberflus was growing fed up with Davis’ unreliability. The belief is the Bears had planned to plug veteran Ryan Bates in at right guard once his shoulder injury was behind him. Sadly, he aggravated it and went on Injured Reserve. Chicago tried to see if Davis could make it work, but he’s been a disaster through the first two games. Now, according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, the Bears plan to replace him with veteran Matt Pryor.
It would be surprising if Nate Davis plays again.
If the Bears have their way, Pryor will play well enough on Sunday to justify giving him more work. This would continue at least until Bates returns from IR and can assume the job full-time. Only Pryor getting hurt or looking completely lost would give him another chance. The 29-year-old has started 12 games as a right guard during his stints in Philadelphia and Indianapolis. Results were mixed. He had some truly horrible performances, but also some really good ones. Part of the problem was his former teams moved him around a lot, often between guard and tackle. It is difficult to find consistency that way.
Since arriving in Chicago, the Bears have kept Pryor at guard. He responded with a standout preseason, allowing only one QB pressure in 40 snaps. This isn’t what anybody would call the ideal solution. However, it had to happen. Nate Davis was a liability whether he was healthy or not. At some point, a team must accept that a player is a sunk cost and try something else.
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Sometimes generously paying an unselfish team leader affects “the culture” of the team positively.
Overpaying selfish players rarely does.
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Optimism might be wasted on this crew — unless 11-25 is what you’re after.
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Discuss amongst yourselves.
This is nothing new, is it? We have had the same issue in the past with Goldman and EJax. JMHO, I’d say the same about Tommie back in the day. It will happen again. You expect the player to be a professional and earn that paycheck. Again, I’m not a Poles apologist, but when he takes these risks, all the big money seems to be in the first 2 years. We stuck ourselves with Whitehair for 5 years. For a guard?!?! There is a 2M dead cap charge for Nate the Skate. I’m not sure if we are going to… Read more »
Ya Tred I must take blame as well…I never really liked Davis, but I didn’t harp on it everyday nor strictly blame Ryan Poles for the staff decision. My fault. But again I try to see the good that’s been done the last couple of years which in my mind out ways the bad. My fault for trying to be optimistic and have some patience with the staff to build a team for the long haul. My fault. Add me too the list DR. M. I should have done more bitching and whining then I’m sure Poles would have done… Read more »
@Dr. Melhus – I’m hurt and deeply offended to be left off your list. I also think you’re deeply negligent for not offering an “All of the above” option.
It would make so many people here happy.
@TGena – come on, you know Lambert couldn’t tell you if Poles is ordering these guys to play, even if he knew. His livelihood relies on access.