Chicago Bears fans probably don’t think there is any way the team can find a trade partner for Nate Davis. At least not with his contract and recent track record. However, this is the NFL. Teams always convince themselves the problems a player had with one organization won’t apply to them. Reputation goes a long way. Robert Quinn was good once upon a time. So was Chase Claypool. GM Ryan Poles managed to trade both despite clear evidence they had nothing left to offer by the end of their time in Chicago.
It appears there might be a market for Davis as well. ESPN revealed as much in their recent article about possible movement ahead of the deadline.
“There aren’t many options for the Texans to improve their interior offensive line, but Chicago has made guard Nate Davis available and is willing to eat a chunk of his roughly $5 million in remaining guaranteed salary for the year.”
After all, that team played a role in helping him get benched in the first place. Davis was atrocious in that week two game, helping Caleb Williams to get sacked seven times. Still, the Texans’ offensive line is in a bad way. They just let C.J. Stroud get sacked seven times himself against the Jets. Their interior situation is a mix of underwhelming talent and injuries. Former 1st round pick Kenyon Green just went on Injured Reserve. Houston should be familiar with Davis.
He played for the division rival Tennessee Titans for several years before coming to Chicago. If they think they can get that version of him after a trade, it makes sense that they are interested. The Bears have already leaked to the media that they are willing to eat most of his contract to get him out, which likely helps streamline the process.
Nate Davis won’t be missed. Chicago has Ryan Bates returning from his shoulder injury. Matt Pryor seems to have settled in as a quality spot-starter. Even Doug Kramer showed he could handle backup duties in a pinch. Davis is not sticking around much longer, one way or the other.
