___day/time___, the Bears announced that the team cut backup RB Mike Davis. Davis hinted at the news in a cryptic tweet ______ before the official announcement:
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This week was flush with speculation about Davis’ future with the team, given that Saturday is the last day the Bears could have received a (likely) fourth-round compensatory draft pick for parting ways with Davis.
Before the season, it seemed unlikely that the Bears would reach this point with Davis this fast. The fifth-year back was brought in with the expectation of some kind of role as a versatile, change-of-pace weapon in Matt Nagy’s offense. But, in typical 2019 Bears fashion, that didn’t pan out. In seven games (one start) with the team this season, Davis amassed only 18 touches for 47 yards and one receiving touchdown — a far cry from the 4.6 yards per carry and five total touchdowns he notched as a backup for the Seahawks in 2018.
The Bears’ reluctance to establish the running game has been a point of lament for much of the Chicago fanbase and punditry throughout the year, and the touches that have been dolled out have mostly been split between David Montgomery and Tarik Cohen.
With the move, the Bears get out from under $2 million of the $3 million owed to Davis in 2020 (he signed a two-year, $6 million contract with the team in March). The team is also now in a position to salvage some draft capital from the Davis experiment in the context of what could soon devolve into a completely lost season.
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But it’s a bummer for Davis, who will now look to join his fourth team in as many years. Hopefully (for him), he’ll find a more competitive group than the Bears have proven to be this season.
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