It’s now-or-never for Chicago Bears RG Nate Davis

The Chicago Bears signed offensive guard Nate Davis to a three-year, $30 million contract in free agency last offseason to help fortify the offensive line. Davis’ debut season in Chicago was a borderline disaster. He came nowhere near meeting the expectations attached to his $10 million annual contract.

Davis missed significant time due to an off-field family issue, which all should sympathize with. When the former Tennessee Titan returned to the lineup, he suffered a sprained ankle injury that sidelined him for a month. Davis totaled just 663 snaps for the Bears at right guard last season.

Davis’ performance left plenty to be desired. Pro Football Focus assigned the ex Charlotte blocker a pass-blocking grade of 47.9 as he was credited with allowing 29 pressures, and was also whistled for six penalties. Davis didn’t fare any better as a run blocker, earning a PFF score of 55.3. Both were career-low marks, his rookie season notwithstanding.

Davis’ offseason is off to a concerning start. He consistently missed practice at organized team activities (OTAs) and mandatory minicamp due to unknown reasons. The Bears must officially be concerned with the sizable investment they made in his services.

That’s a wrap on Bears veteran minicamp. Cole Kmet, Braxton Jones, Kyler Gordon, Nate Davis and Tyler Scott did not practice. Play of the day: Rome Odunze high-pointing a Caleb Williams throw in the back-corner of the end zone in 7-on-7 drills.

— Kevin Fishbain (@kfishbain) June 6, 2024

Once Davis returns, there’s reason for optimism that his 2024 campaign can showcase the required improvement. He’ll be playing next to a more-developed sophomore right tackle in Darnell Wright. The Bears have also gone to lengths to improve the center position by signing Coleman Shelton following his release from the Los Angeles Rams.

Davis could be at risk of forfeiting his starting gig altogether if he’s not careful. Poles acquired versatile interior offensive lineman Ryan Bates from the Buffalo Bills via trade earlier this offseason. With Bates not expected to challenge Shelton at center, he could qualify as a passable starter at right guard. He played 810 snaps at right guard for the Bills during the 2022 season.

Releasing Davis from his contract would create $10.7 million in an immediate dead cap charge, according to OverTheCap. That’s likely a preventative number, though it’s not impossible to swallow should he continue causing headaches for management. It’s significantly more likely that Poles will consider releasing Davis next offseason, when the potential cap savings are $9.5 million.

It’s a now-or-never campaign for Davis in Chicago.