Bears Attempted to Sign Bills WR Gabe Davis

Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles is under some fire for not being more aggressive on Day 1 of the NFL’s legal tampering period. The Bears did sign running back D’Andre Swift to a three-year deal, but… that was it.

Bears fans expected more, and according to a new report from Fox Sports’ Henry McKenna, Poles also tried to do more.

The Bears were in on Gabe Davis, the productive former Buffalo Bills wide receiver who agreed to a three-year, $39 million deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Chicago Bears made a similar offer, but Davis chose Trevor Lawrence and the Jags.

Gabe Davis had a similar offer from the Bears but went with the #Jaguars, per a source close to the situation. The Bills couldn’t make a competitive offer.

Davis wanted to go back to Florida. He can work with former Bills WRs coach Chad Hall. QB Trevor Lawrence. helps, too.

— Henry McKenna (@henrycmckenna) March 12, 2024

Davis was considered one of the top free-agent wide receivers in this year’s class and would’ve offered the Bears’ offense a perfect complement to DJ Moore. At 6-foot-2 and 225 pounds, Davis is a big-bodied downfield threat who’s averaged nearly 17 yards per reception throughout his career.

While he’s never had a 1,000-yard receiving season in the NFL, Gabe Davis has been forced to play second fiddle to Stefon Diggs. Perhaps he didn’t want to sign with the Bears because he would’ve had a similar role opposite Moore. Davis has a chance to be the go-to-guy with the Jaguars.

Give Ryan Poles at least a little credit for trying.