Lions' Brad Holmes Misses Again as Marcus Davenport Joins Bears
Detroit Lions defensive end Marcus Davenport, a former first-round pick, has signed with the Chicago Bears, marking a second failed gamble by general manager Brad Holmes.
General manager Brad Holmes brought Marcus Davenport to Detroit ahead of the 2024 campaign, envisioning him as a partner for All-Pro defensive end Aidan Hutchinson. A torn triceps curtailed his rookie season to two appearances, and a one-year, $2.5 million deal for 2025 produced only eight games played, 14 tackles and a single sack. After two injury-marred years, the Lions released Davenport, and the Chicago Bears signed him following a Sunday workout.
Chicago’s defensive staff, led by former Saints coordinator Dennis Allen, view Davenport as a veteran depth option rather than a long-term solution. Davenport arrives with 25 career sacks in 77 games, highlighted by a nine-sack season in 2021 with New Orleans. The move underscores Holmes’ miscalculation and gives the Bears a chance to extract any remaining value from the player.
Why it matters
The signing shows Detroit’s repeated missteps in building a defensive line and gives Chicago a low-cost depth option.
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