When training camp started for the Chicago Bears back in July, general manager Ryan Poles hinted that the team might add a pass-rusher before the season started, and that's exactly what they did on Monday. CBS Sports senior reporter Matt Zenitz reported that the Bears are expected to sign Marcus Davenport, who actually visited with the team on Sunday. Davenport has been in the NFL since 2018, when the Saints selected him 14th overall in the NFL Draft.
During his five seasons in New Orleans, Davenport never quite lived up to the hype that comes with being a first-round pick. Davenport left New Orleans following the 2022 season, and he's pretty much been battling injuries ever since. In 2023, Davenport sprained his ankle and missed a total of 13 games while playing for the Vikings.
He spent the past two seasons in Detroit and missed a total of 24 games with the Lions due to multiple injuries, including a torn triceps. The Bears will now be hoping that he can stay healthy and contribute to a pass-rush that was one of the worst in the NFL last season. Chicago totaled just 35 sacks in 2025, which ranked 22nd in the NFL.
The Bears did sign Dayo Odeyingbo to help with the pass-rush last year, but he ended up missing the final nine games of the season after tearing his Achilles. His return should help bolster the pass-rush, but the Bears clearly still felt like they needed more, and that's why Davenport is now in Chicago. During his eight-year career, Davenport's most successful stint came during his time in New Orleans, and that's probably why the Bears decided to take a chance on him.
Davenport's defensive coordinator from 2018 through 2022 was Dennis Allen, who just happens to hold the same position in Chicago (Allen was actually the Saints' head coach in 2022 during Davenport's final season with the team). Davenport racked up a career-high nine sacks in 2021 while playing for Allen in New Orleans. In total, the 29-year-old had three seasons with Allen where he recorded at least 4.5 sacks.
That might not sound like an incredibly high total, but 4.5 sacks would have ranked third on the team for the Bears last season. The Bears only had two players who racked up at least five sacks in 2025: Montez Sweat (10) and Gervon Dexter (6). The Bears' pass-rush was such a struggle last season that a safety (C.J.
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