Marcus Davenport retires one day after his Bears debut

Marcus Davenport has decided to retire from the NFL, ending a nine-season career one day after he finally got on the field for the Chicago Bears.

Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo reported the decision late Monday, October 5. Courtney Cronin also reported that the 30-year-old defensive end is stepping away. Chicago released him from its practice squad on Monday, and Brad Biggs reported that the move came at Davenport’s own request. Neither the Bears nor Davenport had issued a public statement as of Tuesday morning.

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. pic.twitter.com/B0L8sYKH0m

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 6, 2026

The timing is what makes the decision stand out. Davenport played in Chicago’s 23–12 win over the New York Jets on Sunday, October 4, his first game in a Bears uniform. He was on the field for 12 defensive snaps and was credited with a shared tackle and a quarterback pressure. Within a day, he had asked to be let go.

A first-round talent slowed by injuries

The New Orleans Saints made Davenport a first-round pick in 2018, and he spent his first five seasons there. His best year came in 2021, when he posted nine sacks, the high mark of his career. He finishes with 25 sacks and seven forced fumbles for four franchises: New Orleans, Minnesota, Detroit and Chicago.

Health was the recurring obstacle after he left the Saints. An ankle injury ended his 2023 season in Minnesota, and his time in Detroit was limited as well. The Jets game was only the 15th appearance of his career since the start of the 2023 season.

Chicago signed him in mid-August, and the connection was familiar. Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen coached Davenport throughout his years in New Orleans. Davenport did not make the 53-man roster at the cutdown and opened the season on the practice squad, which is where he was when he asked for his release.

What it means for the Bears

On the field, the loss is small. Davenport was a depth piece who had not played a snap for Chicago before Week 4. The Bears are also expecting help on the edge from Shemar Turner, the 2025 second-round pick who is nearing a return from a torn ACL.

The bigger story in Chicago remains at quarterback. The Bears are 3–1 after winning back-to-back games without Caleb Williams, and coach Ben Johnson has already named Tyson Bagent as the starter for Week 5 while Williams recovers from a right hamstring strain.

What comes next

Chicago visits the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on Sunday, October 11, at 1 p.m. EDT, with the Bears–Packers Game Center carrying the full matchup. The Bears face the Atlanta Falcons in Week 6. Davenport’s open practice-squad spot could be filled before the Green Bay game, and any move will appear on the NFL transactions page and the Bears team page.