The Chicago Bears will be looking to bolster their roster in free agency, and linebacker should be toward the top of their wish list.
The LB room was a problem for Chicago despite capturing its first NFC North title since 2018. Tremaine Edmunds’s salary didn’t match his production, T.J. Edwards struggled with injuries, and Ruben Hyppolite was nowhere to be found.
In other words, adding some depth would go a long way toward making defensive coordinator Dennis Allen’s unit better in 2026. To do that, Allen may pound the table for a familiar face.
Demario Davis, who played for Allen during his time with the New Orleans Saints from 2018 to 2024, is one of the top free agent linebackers on the market and could be on his way to a reunion in Chicago. But before Davis runs around in blue and orange, the Bears may want to think twice and lean on other options as they prepare for free agency.
Demario Davis’s Risk Exceeds Potential Reward for Bears
If the Bears are looking for a win-now move, Davis would be a solid choice.
The Arkansas State product has been a tackling machine since he was selected by the New York Jets in the third round of the 2012 draft, collecting 1,536 total tackles and 951 solo tackles over 14 seasons. He also still played at a high level for the Saints last year, with 143 total tackles, 64 solo tackles, and six tackles for loss before telling FanDuel TV's Kay Adams that he plans on playing next season.
“I’m coming back to the NFL. And I’m excited about that, I am super excited about that,” Davis said during an appearance on 'The Up & Adams Show' last month. “I keep training all of the way through the Super Bowl, so my body feels great. I’m just excited. I’m excited for the offseason, and then I’ll get into my offseason training regimen and prepare to do it all over again. How that plays itself out, we shall see.”
Playing under his former defensive coordinator and head coach would be a good way to come back to the NFL. He’d also have the benefit of playing for a Super Bowl contender in Chicago. With Edmunds a cut candidate, the Bears can sign him as a starter to play next to Edwards and keep D’Marco Jackson in the reserve and special teams roles he excelled in last season. But it also comes with a big amount of risk.
The biggest concern is Davis’s age.
After turning 37 in January, it’s hard to know how much is left in the tank, but Davis may have mitigated those concerns by posting an 80.3 overall grade and an 88.9 run defense grade last season, according to Pro Football Focus. Davis also has limitations as a pass rusher, with 13 pressures on 70 pass-rushing snaps last season, leaving him as more of a cleanup specialist.
With Spotrac estimating his value at $9.5 million, the Bears may have to think hard about bringing Davis aboard. If they release Edmunds, who has a $17.4 million cap hit in the final year of his contract, and Davis doesn’t perform, the Bears could be throwing more money away to try to fix the problem.
It’s also possible that Jackson is ready for a larger role and could lead the Bears to search for depth as opposed to a player who can man a starting role.
Adding a two-time Pro Bowler like Davis would be an exciting way to enter next season. The risks outweigh the rewards, leaving the Bears to look elsewhere to solve their linebacker issues.