LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) — Bears head coach Matt Eberflus has defended his team, coaches and players amid plenty of adversity over the last two years.
That’s why it was notable how Eberflus recently addressed the status of veteran right guard Nate Davis, who continues to watch from the sideline as the Bears work through training camp.
Davis’ injury status is unclear to those outside of Halas Hall, as Eberflus and the Bears have declined to offer details. But their frustration is becoming evident.
“People say you can’t lose a job because of injury,” Eberflus said Tuesday. “I don’t think that’s true. I think if the guy that’s playing there gives our team a good look and a good benefit for him being in that position, then it’s a competition.”
Put another way: Davis’ starting spot at right guard is in jeopardy.
Since selecting quarterback Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft in late April, the Bears have operated with a careful blueprint for his developmental track. The 22-year-old Williams was named the starter shortly after being selected and was given a plethora of offensive weapons and all the reps that he could ask for practice.
But what could stunt Williams’ growth is instability on the offensive line, and the absent Davis is at the center of that issue. Williams has struggled at times during training camp to deal with pressure in the pocket, and there have also been pre-snap procedural problems. There have been far too many penalty flags thrown on the Bears’ starting offensive line in practice.
Eberflus indicated the Bears are considering holding out Williams from Saturday's preseason game in Buffalo thanks in part to instability on the offensive line.
Davis has missed nearly two weeks of action with an undisclosed injury, which Eberflus initially termed as a "day-to-day" deal. That was on July 27. Through three weeks of training camp, the Bears' offensive line has rarely had a consistent look from day to day. Making matters worse, starting right tackle Darnell Wright left practice Wednesday with an apparent injury.
With Davis out, the Bears have shifted Ryan Bates away from his projected role as the starting center and moved him to right guard. That has created a revolving door at center with Bates and Coleman Shelton, who fills the center role when Bates is at guard.
Bears offensive line coach Chris Morgan wants Davis to feel a sense of urgency along with his entire group.
“Those guys should be competing their asses off every day,” Morgan said. “So, it's not added pressure from us.
“He should be out there competing every day doing his best.”
Davis joined the Bears in March 2023 on a three-year contract worth up to $30 million, a deal that included $19.25 million fully guaranteed and $17.5 million of that paid at signing. He has essentially been paid for his first two seasons in Chicago, which included six games missed last year.
Davis was a limited participant in practice Tuesday at Halas Hall, where he went through stretches and the walk-through before leaving for the sideline and work with head athletic trainer Andre Tucker.
On Wednesday morning, Davis didn't participate at all during practice. He was part of a large group working on the exercise bikes and taking in practice from the sideline. Davis donned his No. 64 blue jersey, which remains clean through each practice.
The Bears are contractually tied to Davis without much benefit of releasing him prior to next offseason, though they seem to be putting that aside in assessing his on-field performance – or lack thereof.
If Davis is dealing with a more serious injury that isn't a day-to-day return as Eberflus said, the Bears should reveal so to protect their player. But if Davis is simply not pushing hard enough to return, it's time to initiate Plan B.
Eberflus and the Bears have preached competition for the offensive line. Soon, the priority must be on continuity and forming a consistent starting unit that can set Williams and the rest of the offense up for success.
For his part, Davis needs to respond to the Bears’ message and prove he can earn his hefty contract. For now, his absence lingers as a considerable liability.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.