2023 season has been a challenging one for the Chicago Bears, and not just for those still on the roster. The team’s struggles led to the firing of head coach Matt Eberflus and offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. In addition, there’s one former Bears starter who’s now without a team after a disappointing tenure with Chicago.
That player is Nate Davis, who was signed by the Bears to a three-year, $30 million deal before the 2023 season. The team had high hopes for him as a key part of their offensive line for years to come. However, Davis’s performance was underwhelming, and after just two games this season, he was benched and eventually released in mid-November.
Davis’s release means he is now a free agent and available to any team that could use his services. With the season winding down, one team that could be interested in him is the Dallas Cowboys, who have been struggling with injuries to their offensive line. The Cowboys are reportedly looking for depth at guard, which could make Davis an appealing option.
The Cowboys have been hit hard by injuries in recent weeks, with key players like Tyler Smith, Zack Martin, Chuma Edoga, and Asim Richards all dealing with issues. This has left the team in need of additional bodies to help get through the remainder of the season, which is why Davis could be a good fit.
Additionally, Martin is expected to become a free agent at the end of the season, so the Cowboys may want to evaluate whether Davis could be a long-term solution for their offensive line moving forward. At 28 years old, Davis is still relatively young and could provide valuable depth for the remainder of this season and beyond.
In his brief time with the Bears, Davis only played 131 snaps across five games, which means the team didn’t get much value from the $19.25 million in guaranteed money they spent on him. While Davis’s departure clears up some salary cap space for the Bears in 2025, their offensive line remains a work in progress.
It’s certainly possible that Davis could redeem himself with a new team like the Cowboys, but it would be bittersweet for Bears fans to see him thrive elsewhere after his underwhelming performance in Chicago. If he does prove himself with Dallas, it will raise questions about whether the Bears made the right call in letting him go.
