The writing appears to be on the wall that Nate Davis has played his final game in a Chicago Bears uniform.
Davis is in the second year of a three-year deal he signed with the Bears last year, but after the veteran offensive guard was a healthy inactive against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London, it seems that he has fallen out of the team's offensive line rotation.
Recent rumors have suggested that the Bears are indeed shopping Davis ahead of the NFL Trade Deadline, which is one week from next Tuesday. While being asked about a potential Davis trade, Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic (Subscription Required ) offered insight into what the Bears may be looking at in terms of a potential return.
Davis’ base salary for 2024 is guaranteed. The Bears have already paid him plenty, and they might be OK paying more if they got a draft pick in return. It’s mostly already a sunk cost at this point for them, and if someone is willing to offer a sixth-round pick, that would probably be more than enough to move him. It might have to be a conditional seventh-rounder, though.
Fishbain also didn't rule out the idea of the Bears cutting Davis. If the Bears did have plans of trading Davis, then there would almost be a need for the veteran to be active for Sunday's game against the Washington Commanders. Otherwise, teams would likely call the Bears' bluff and wait for them to cut the disappointing offensive lineman.
Nate Davis is on borrowed time with the Chicago Bears.
Regardless of how it happens, it seems inevitable that the Bears will be moving on from Davis within the coming weeks.
In terms of what the Bears will do at right guard, it would seem that Matt Pryor is the starter moving forward. Ryan Bates, once he returns from injury, could also be part of the mix.