Bears RG Nate Davis has to win a job and prove a lot

Nate Davis is happy to be back.

The Bears' part-time right guard practiced for the third straight day after missing nine practices with an unspecified injury, only this time he has a job to win and a lot to prove.

“It feels great,” Davis said after practice Thursday. “It's cool to be out there with the guys, doing the drills and just building the team spirit.”

Davis has skated with the first team in practice since returning on Tuesday, but coach Matt Eberflus confirmed what he had previously hinted at: that Davis will be in competition at the right guard position with Ryan Bates (when Bates returns from injury) and perhaps the experienced Matt Pryor.

“I would just say one thing about Nate: He worked hard to come back and he did it,” said Eberflus. “It's a competition. We're looking for the best inside players for us. That's at center or [right] Guard. We'll see how that develops throughout the week and next week.”

The latest absence was one of several that have hampered Davis' career with the Bears since he signed a three-year, $30 million contract as a free agent in 2023. He missed most of training camp last year and finished only nine of 17 games due to personal reasons and injuries.

After missing most of the offseason program this year, he fully participated in the first six practices of training camp until he was injured again.

“Definitely frustrated [about that]but the support staff here – my teammates and stuff like that – have really helped me,” Davis said. “I feel good. I'm just living day by day.”

With Davis' options at his disposal, this could be his last chance to provide some much-needed stability to the Bears' offensive line. He's as motivated as can be.

“I just want to show the world what kind of player I really am, especially when I'm healthy,” Davis said. “So when my mind is right and my body is right, I know I'm a special player. I'm just excited to show that.”

Second place for Judon

General manager Ryan Poles confirmed the day the Bears reported to training camp that the team would consider outside solutions for the defensive end position, so it was no surprise that the Bears were interested in outside linebacker Matthew Judon, who the Patriots traded to on Wednesday.

NFL Network analyst Scott Pioli, a longtime friend and former colleague of Poles, said Poles has been negotiating with the Patriots and spoke with Judon's agent about a possible new contract when Pioli was at Halas Hall on Wednesday. The Falcons, who the Bears skipped out on for Montez Sweat at the trade deadline last year, have signed Judon.

Wet and … painful

The Bears defense intercepted Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow three times during a joint practice at Halas Hall in persistent, at times heavy rain. Safety Kevin Byard and cornerback Greg Stroman each intercepted one pass.

Overall, it was a sloppy but productive practice, with no arguments and no hits on the quarterbacks. The biggest disappointment: Bengals running back Chris Evans and offensive tackle D'Ante Smith apparently suffered serious leg injuries and were carried off the field.

this and that

Safety Jaquan Brisker was the only defensive starter to miss practice. “I know he's close to [to coming back]”, said Byard.
Other players out: Bates, long snapper Patrick Scales, wide receivers Collin Johnson and DeAndre Carter, defensive end Jacob Martin and offensive lineman Theo Benedet.
Matt Ryan, one of Poles' best friends since their time together at Boston College and the NFL MVP in 2016, attended the workout.