Dan Campbell is doing his best to remain hopeful about Marcus Davenport’s potential.
Before the start of free agency, the Detroit Lions decided to take a second consecutive one-year chance on edge rusher Marcus Davenport. The deal, reportedly worth up to $4.75 million, offers minimal risk to the team, with $2 million of the deal unspecified. After Davenport played only two games last season due to a season-ending arm injury in Week 3, the Lions have little to lose by giving him another opportunity. His season started with a strong Week 1, but a groin injury sidelined him in Week 2.
Initially, the Lions’ decision to bring Davenport back was met with mixed reactions. However, many expected the team to make another move to bring in a veteran edge rusher, even if it was not a major acquisition. So far, the Lions have only re-signed a few rotational edge rusher pieces and released Za’Darius Smith. Brad Holmes explained that Smith’s $9 million bonuses were a financial obstacle, but the possibility of him returning remains open. The draft also features several strong edge rusher prospects, and during a recent league meeting, Campbell mentioned the team is still looking to add more talent.
For now, the Lions are depending on Davenport to contribute significantly, even if they draft an edge rusher. Campbell admitted the risk involved with this decision. He acknowledged the situation during an interview, saying, “As long as he’s willing to make another push, believes he can get it done, and we feel like the rehab has gone well, we think this’ll heal. Everything is in the right place, so we feel good about it. If everything goes as we expect, Davenport is going to be a hell of a player.”
Dan Campbell is clearly trying to maintain an optimistic outlook for Davenport’s future, despite the challenges. To put it bluntly, Davenport has only played six games in the past two seasons, and a Minnesota reporter questioned his effort to recover from an ankle injury during the 2023 season. Since being drafted in the first round by the New Orleans Saints in 2018, Davenport has struggled with consistency. His best season was in 2021, when he registered nine sacks and earned a ranking as the sixth-best edge defender, according to Pro Football Focus. However, after multiple surgeries following that year, his 2022 season was underwhelming, with just half a sack in 15 games.
Despite Campbell’s hopeful remarks, it’s clear that Davenport’s health and productivity remain uncertain. While Campbell may be trying to convince himself that things will improve, there are serious questions about whether Davenport can stay healthy and perform at a high level, given his track record.
