The Chicago Bears may not be finished targeting players from the Detroit Lions during this offseason.

Chicago already dipped into Detroit’s roster earlier in free agency by signing veteran wide receiver Kalif Raymond. Now, there’s increasing speculation that the Bears could pursue another former Lion, this time on the defensive side. Veteran edge rusher Marcus Davenport is one name beginning to gain attention as he remains unsigned late in the free-agency period.

According to Jovan Alford of Yahoo Sports, Chicago could benefit from exploring another move similar to the Raymond signing. He suggested that Davenport should be among the players the Bears keep an eye on.

While the potential signing wouldn’t necessarily generate major headlines, it could address a depth need for Chicago’s defense. The Bears have quietly focused on building additional depth across their roster, and Davenport could fit that strategy.

Davenport Could Provide Affordable Pass-Rush Depth

Davenport’s numbers during his time in Detroit don’t stand out, particularly because injuries limited his availability. In 10 games with the Lions, he managed 1.5 sacks, along with 10 quarterback pressures and seven hits on opposing quarterbacks.

However, his recent statistics don’t fully reflect his potential impact. Injuries have played a significant role in slowing his career over the last few seasons. Across his stints with the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings, Davenport has appeared in only 14 games during the past three years.

When healthy, though, he has proven capable of being a disruptive pass rusher. Earlier in his career with the New Orleans Saints, he accumulated 21.5 sacks, 25 tackles for loss, and 60 quarterback hits over 63 appearances. His strongest campaign came in 2021, when he registered nine sacks in just 11 games.

That earlier version of Davenport is what could make him an appealing option for Chicago.

At 29 years old, the Bears likely wouldn’t rely on him as their primary pass rusher. Instead, he could contribute as a rotational edge defender behind the team’s top players on the defensive line. Late in free agency, teams often take chances on experienced veterans like Davenport in hopes they can provide valuable depth.

Familiar Coaching Connection Could Influence the Move

Another reason this scenario seems plausible is Davenport’s prior relationship with Dennis Allen, the Bears’ defensive coordinator.

Allen coached Davenport during their time together in New Orleans, when the former first-round pick delivered some of his best performances. That familiarity could give Chicago confidence that Allen understands how to maximize Davenport’s abilities.

As Alford pointed out, Allen may be the type of coach who can help Davenport rediscover the form he showed earlier in his career.

From a financial perspective, the signing would also be manageable. Contract projections from Spotrac estimate Davenport’s value at roughly a one-year deal worth about $1.9 million, which would make him a relatively inexpensive addition if the Bears clear a bit of salary-cap space.

While some fans might hope for bigger-name additions such as Joey Bosa or Jadeveon Clowney, Chicago could instead opt for a smaller, calculated move.

After already signing one former player from Detroit—where new Bears head coach Ben Johnson previously worked—the Bears could once again look toward the Lions’ former roster to strengthen their team.