Free agent defensive end Marcus Davenport visited the Chicago Bears on Sunday, seeking a potential opportunity with yet another NFC North team.
The former New Orleans Saints first-round pick has previously suited up for two other clubs in the division. He spent the 2023 season with the Minnesota Vikings before joining the Detroit Lions for the following two campaigns.
Davenport, selected 14th overall in the 2018 NFL draft out of UTSA, has recorded 25 sacks across 77 career games. His production includes 165 total tackles, seven forced fumbles and four pass deflections through the 2025 season.
Injuries have limited the 6-foot-6, 285-pound edge rusher throughout much of his professional career. He appeared in just four games for the Vikings in 2023 and only two for the Lions in 2024 before logging eight appearances last season.
His peak came in 2021 with the Saints, when he notched a career-high nine sacks in 11 games. That remains his most productive single season to date.
The Bears have struggled to generate consistent pressure in recent years. Their defense ranked near the bottom of the league in pass-rush metrics during the 2025 campaign, finishing with 35 total sacks.
Montez Sweat led the team with 10 sacks a year ago, but the unit lacked complementary production from other edge defenders. Austin Booker and Dayo Odeyingbo are among those expected to contribute this season.
Odeyingbo is returning from an Achilles injury that limited him in 2025. The Bears did not add a high-profile edge rusher in free agency or the draft earlier this offseason.
Davenport’s visit comes as Chicago evaluates depth options late in the preseason window. At age 29, he offers experience and size that could fit a rotational role if healthy.
He began his career with the Saints, playing five seasons in New Orleans from 2018 through 2022. During that span he started 32 games and accumulated the bulk of his career sack total.
After leaving New Orleans as a free agent, Davenport signed a one-year deal with Minnesota. An ankle injury cut short his time there after four games and two sacks.
He then moved to Detroit on consecutive one-year contracts. The Lions valued his potential opposite Aidan Hutchinson, though injuries again restricted his availability.
In 2025 with Detroit, Davenport managed one sack and 14 tackles in eight games. Shoulder and pectoral issues sidelined him for significant stretches.
The Bears’ defensive scheme under coordinator Dennis Allen could present a familiar environment. Allen previously coached Davenport during their overlapping years in New Orleans.
A signing would mark Davenport’s third stop within the NFC North in a four-year span. It would also give the Bears another veteran body as they prepare for the regular season.
Whether the visit leads to a contract remains unclear. Davenport is available on the open market after his most recent deal with the Lions expired.
Teams around the league continue to seek affordable pass-rush help. Davenport’s combination of draft pedigree and remaining athleticism keeps him relevant for clubs needing depth.
The Bears enter the 2026 season looking to improve a defense that showed flashes but lacked consistent disruption up front. Adding a player with Davenport’s background could provide a low-risk option for that purpose.
His college career at UTSA featured strong production, including conference defensive player of the year honors in 2017. That performance elevated him into the first round of the draft eight years ago.
At this stage of his career, staying healthy will determine any remaining impact he can make. Sunday’s visit with Chicago represents the latest chance to prove he can contribute at the NFL level.
