Bears Land Ex-Saint Pass Rusher Marcus Davenport
Chicago Bears Expected to Sign Veteran Pass Rusher Marcus Davenport
The Chicago Bears are adding a familiar face to their defense. After a successful visit, veteran edge rusher Marcus Davenport is expected to sign with the team. Think of an edge rusher like a specialized hunter whose main job is to chase down the quarterback on passing plays.
Who Is Marcus Davenport?
- Former First-Round Pick: He was selected in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints. Being a first-round pick means teams had very high hopes for him.
- Veteran Presence: He has been in the league for several years and has played for multiple teams.
- Reunion with Coach: Bears Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen coached Davenport back in New Orleans. They already know how to work together.
His Journey Through the NFL: A Roller Coaster Ride
Davenport’s career has had ups and downs, kind of like a roller coaster. Here is the timeline:
- New Orleans Saints (2018–2022): His best year was 2021, when he recorded 9 sacks (tackling the quarterback behind the line of scrimmage). However, injuries often kept him off the field.
- Minnesota Vikings (2023): He signed a deal with $10 million guaranteed but only played 4 games due to injury. When healthy, he played a regular role.
- Detroit Lions (2024–2025): He stayed for two years on cheaper, one-year deals (the last one worth $1.65 million). Unfortunately, he only managed to play 10 total games over two seasons because of health issues.
Important Point
Durability is the Question Mark: Davenport has talent—he plays a lot of snaps (defensive plays) when healthy. But his inability to stay on the field consistently is why he is signing a smaller "prove-it" deal again.
Why the Bears Want Him
The Bears aren’t asking Davenport to be the superhero. They want him for a rotational role—think of it like a substitute teacher who comes in to give the starters a break so they stay fresh.
Current Bears Pass Rushers (The "Starters")
| Player | Role | 2025 Stats/Status |
|---|---|---|
| Montez Sweat | The Leader | The clear #1 pass rusher. |
| Dayo Odeyingbo | The Big Investment | Signed a 3-year deal last spring but only played 8 games (injury). |
| Austin Booker | The Rising Star | Started 9 games, set career high with 4.5 sacks. Needs to take the next step. |
Davenport fits perfectly as the experienced backup who can step in if someone gets hurt or needs a breather.
Contract & Salary Cap Details
- Expected Deal: A one-year, low-cost contract (similar to his $1.65M deal in Detroit).
- Bears Cap Space: Chicago entered the week with only ~$4.73 million in salary cap space (money allowed to spend on players). This is near the bottom of the league.
- Low Risk, High Reward: If he stays healthy, the Bears get a steal. If not, they didn’t spend much money or long-term commitment.
What This Means for the 2026 Season
- Depth Chart Security: The Bears now have 4 legitimate NFL edge rushers (Sweat, Odeyingbo, Booker, Davenport). You can never have too many pass rushers.
- Insurance Policy: With Odeyingbo and Davenport both having recent injury histories, having both provides a safety net.
- Mentorship: Davenport can help young players like Austin Booker learn the tricks of the trade.
- Win-Now Mode: A healthy Davenport helps the Bears try to repeat last year’s success. A good season also helps him earn a bigger contract in 2027.
Summary
The Chicago Bears are set to sign Marcus Davenport to a cheap, one-year deal. He is a talented edge rusher (quarterback hunter) who knows Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen from their time in New Orleans. While he flashed elite potential with 9 sacks in 2021, injuries have limited him to just 14 games over the last three years combined.
He isn’t coming to start—he’s coming to be a high-quality rotational piece behind Montez Sweat, Dayo Odeyingbo, and Austin Booker. For a team with very little salary cap space (~$4.7M), this is a smart, low-risk "lottery ticket" signing. If he stays healthy, the Bears’ pass rush becomes much deeper. If not, they move on next year with no hard feelings.
FAQ
What is an "edge rusher"?
Think of the defensive line like a wall. The "edge rushers" stand on the ends of that wall. Their main job is to run around the outside of the offensive blockers to sack the quarterback or stop running backs who try to run to the outside.
What does "rotational role" mean?
Football players get tired! A rotational player doesn’t play every snap. They rotate in to give the starters a rest (usually 20-30 snaps a game) so the starters are fresh for the most important moments, like 3rd down.
What is "Salary Cap Space"?
The NFL sets a limit on how much total money a team can spend on player salaries in a year. "Cap space" is the money they have left to spend. The Bears have very little (~$4.7M), so they can only afford cheap, one-year deals right now.
Why sign a player who is always injured?
Because talent is scarce. When Davenport has played, he has been effective. On a minimum-salary deal, the risk is almost zero. If he plays 10 good games, it’s a win. If he gets hurt immediately, the team loses very little money.
How does this affect Austin Booker?
It actually helps him! Booker is young (2nd year). Having a veteran like Davenport means the coaches don’t have to play Booker 60 snaps a game if he struggles or gets tired. Booker can develop at a natural pace while learning from a pro.