Bears sign Marcus Davenport to deal

Davenport, 29, totaled just seven quarterback pressures and one sack for the Lions last year. He is likely best suited to a rotational role at this point. The Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs notes that Davenport began his career with the Saints in 2018, playing for the Bears’ current defensive coordinator, Dennis Allen.

Offensive guard Miles Frazier was also activated. Running back Craig Reynolds was waived in a corresponding move. Davenport appeared in two games this year, logging one sack, before going on IR with a chest injury. He will return to a part-time role for the Super Bowl contender Lions.

Davenport reportedly couldn’t do much with his arm on Friday, up to and including working a lever on a recliner, so this is not a shock placement. The 29-year-old has been with the Lions in each of the last two seasons and the Vikings in 2023, and he has played just eight total games over that timespan. We often feel obligated to do the “he’ll miss at least the next four games” bit of the blurb, but that’s sort of just implied with Davenport.

Davenport missed most of the previous two seasons but returns to the Lions on a bargain contract to chase another Super Bowl. The once dominant defensive end has experienced numerous setbacks since recording nine sacks in 2021, likeliest to contribute in a complementary role on passing downs moving forward.

It’s a tough blow for Davenport, who appeared in just four games last season and joined the Lions on a one-year, $6.5 million contract this offseason. Davenport has totaled just four sacks in his last 21 games, and is three years removed from the nine sack season he posted in 2021. He’ll be 29 at the start of next season, and will likely get a chance with another team if the Lions opt to not bring him back in 2025.

Davenport attempted to put a sleeve on the injury and return but was unable to do so. Rapoport reports Davenport “could be lost for the season” but will undergo additional tests to confirm. Davenport totaled just 2.5 sacks in 19 games from 2022 to 2023 and has a half sack this season. We’ll see what the additional tests reveal, but it sounds like he’ll miss at least a few weeks either way.

The Lions will miss Davenport’s ability to rush the passer off the edge. The free agent acquisition played in only four games with the Vikings last year. Otherwise, the Lions are fairly healthy heading into Week 2. Detroit’s second round pick Ennis Rakestraw is a surprise healthy scratch.

The report comes from team reporter Tim Twentyman, who notes backup T Giovanni Manu was also placed on the active/non-football injury (NFI) list. Davenport missed 13 games with the injury before signing with the Lions in the offseason. He is expected to return during training camp before suiting up as EDGE Aidan Hutchinson’s bookend in Week 1.

Davenport now reunites with Dan Quinn and Aaron Glenn, who worked with him during their days in New Orleans. Davenport totaled seven tackles and two sacks in four games with the Vikings after an ankle injury sidelined him in Week 6. Set to turn 28 before the start of the season, this is likely a prove-it deal for Davenport, who is only two years removed from a nine-sack season.

Davenport’s contract was set to be voided on Monday, which would have resulted in a dead cap hit of $6.8 million. With his deal now re-negotiated to expire on March 11th, the Vikings and Davenport have some extra time to work out a new deal ahead of free agency. Davenport, 27, signed a one-year deal with the Vikings last offseason. He appeared in only four games due to an ankle injury, totaling seven tackles and two sacks during that span. After breaking out for nine sacks in 2021, Davenport has managed just 2.5 sacks over his last 19 games and has never played in a full season. Still, it appears the Vikings would like to work out a deal with him for 2024 if the price is right.