Apparently, Marcus Davenport has seen enough. The Vikings turncoat was getting close to filling out the NFC North bingo card but will cut off his career before getting the chance to do so.
Check out the word that got sent along from Ian Rapoport of The NFL Network: “Long-time NFL pass-rusher Marcus Davenport has decided to retire, per me and @MikeGarafolo. Davenport asked for his release from the #Bears after playing his final game Sunday. The 30-year-old former #Saints first-rounder finished with 25 career sacks for four teams.”
Vikings Turncoat Decides to Call it a Career
Rapoport notes that there have been four stops for Davenport. Check ’em out:
- New Orleans Saints: 2018-2022
- Minnesota Vikings: 2023
- Detroit Lions: 2024-2025
- Chicago Bears: 2026
Once word emerged of Davenport’s deal with the Bears, the online football world fired up the Packers comments. Going to just one more sport in the North would lead to playing for all four teams in the division, a rare achievement that few achieve. Alas, that Davenport dream appears to be done.
Davenport disappointed in his lonely season with horns on his helmet. The issue was a familiar culprit: injury.
The edge rusher missed the great majority of the ’23 season. There was a Carolina game where he was out there and dominant. As a result, the Vikings got a quick glimpse of what the pass rush could be with the insanely talented player working alongside Danielle Hunter.
Instead of that upside, though, Minnesota had to rally around Mr. Hunter as the lonely reliable pass rushing presence. The Vikings sent over a deal worth $13,000,000 for just four games and three starts.
So, there was a pivot in 2024, notably moving toward (essentially) a brand new front seven that got built around Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel as the top pair (a Kwesi Adofo-Mensah masterclass, albeit with some ongoing quibbles on my end about seeing Hunter depart).
If memory serves, the Lions were enthusiastic about adding Davenport into the mix — again, huge ability — but the veteran couldn’t fully figure things out in Motown, either. Availability was again the issue.
The Bears will be looking for some added help for the pass rushing department with the news of Marcus Davenport stepping away. Montez Sweat, a good player, has been the top option over there for a little while, but he’s good without being great.
Failing to add another threat will hinder Chicago’s chances of going from a good regular season team to a team that can make noise in the playoffs.
Per Over the Cap, Marcus Davenport has made more than $40 million in his career.