The Chicago Bears know better than any team that the key to success in a season isn’t just about how good your players are. It is about how healthy they can stay. Football is a grind. It takes a heavy toll on the body. Many guys aren’t able to handle it without suffering constant setbacks, forcing them to miss games. A few notable Bears players hold that stigma going into the 2024 season. Teven Jenkins couldn’t secure a contract extension because he’s missed 20 games over the past three years.
He isn’t the only offensive lineman carrying that same scrutiny. Fellow guard Nate Davis was plagued by health issues last season, forcing him to miss most of training camp and multiple games. It wasn’t what the fans hoped for when the team handed him a big contract as a free agent. Things didn’t get much better when Davis missed OTAs and minicamps with more problems. Fans were fed up. Even the team hinted at the possibility of a shakeup with multiple players logging reps with the start unit, including recent trade acquisition Ryan Bates.
Apparently, Davis got the message. He was present and accounted for at the first practice of camp.
Not unless he starts earning his money. That means staying on the field and producing at the level he’s capable of. GM Ryan Poles has already shown a willingness to move on from mistakes quickly. See Chase Claypool. If Davis suffers through the same problems that ruined his 2023 season, there is no question the Bears will move on next year. The veteran guard likely knows this, too. He’s not naive. The Bears only signed him to a three-year deal. That basically meant they could escape after two years if he flopped.
Showing up ready to go at the start of camp is a positive step. It means Davis is healthy, for one. It also means he is eager to work. That should help build some momentum going into next month. The Chicago Bears won’t coddle him. They have plenty of insurance in place if he decides to start missing practices again. Bates has a lot of experience as a right guard. Matt Pryor, Ja’Tyre Carter, and Bill Murray also have logged snags in real games. Chicago could pivot to another option without much of an issue. The ball is in Davis’ court.
