Nate Davis signed a three-year deal with the Chicago Bears last off-season. They felt he offered the necessary talent and experience their offensive line needed to stabilize Justin Fields’ protection. Instead, what they got that first year was a guy who missed most of training camp and then missed six games with various injuries. It was hoped coming into 2024 that he was past all of that. Then Davis missed all of OTAs, minicamps, and most of the first week of training camp. If you thought this was frustrating for fans, try to imagine how head coach Matt Eberflus feels.
Actually, you don’t have to. The man sent the loudest message possible in his Tuesday presser. He was asked point blank if Davis’ starting spot was safe even though he’s been out awhile.
“If a person’s out for an extended period of time and the player that’s in that position is playing very well, at a starter level, and doing a good job there, then you create the competition. You say, hey, there’s a competition. People say you can’t lose a job because of injury. I don’t think that’s true. I think if the guy that’s playing there gives our team a good look and a good benefit for him being in that position, then it’s a competition. Or the other guy could take it over.”
Not much translation is needed for that. Eberflus basically said Davis’ absence is allowing others on the roster to make a positive impression. If one of them looks like they can be a starter, and it sounds like someone has, then it’s no longer a guarantee the job belongs to Davis.
The Bears will say it’s because he is finally healthy. There is also a strong probability he caught wind that his job is in jeopardy. Eberflus has made it clear multiple times during his coaching tenure that he’s not afraid to hand jobs to guys who perform the best in training camp, even if they weren’t expected to hold it. Jack Sanborn overtook Matthew Adams in 2022. Tyson Bagent outpaced P.J. Walker last year. The Bears are in the business of giving the best and most reliable players a spot on the roster.
Nothing about the past 16 months suggests Nate Davis is either of those things. Don’t forget the Bears traded for Ryan Bates in March. While he’s been competing for the center job, most of his starting experience in the NFL is at right guard. Take a guess where he’s been playing the most since Davis got sidelined again. Yep. If Eberflus thinks Bates has performed well enough over the past week, he may consider handing the starting job to him. No wonder Davis is suddenly working his way back. The message is clear.
Either get back to work or lose your job.
