Marcus Davenport Retires From NFL Just One Day After Chicago Bears Debut
The former first-round pick played a limited role in Sunday's victory before requesting his release.
Veteran defensive end Marcus Davenport has announced his retirement from the NFL, a decision that comes just one day after he made his debut for the Chicago Bears. The 30-year-old played 12 snaps and recorded one tackle in the Bears' 23-12 win over the New York Jets on Sunday.
According to ESPN and NFL Network, Davenport asked to be released from the Bears' practice squad immediately after Sunday's game. The team agreed to his request, and he has now chosen to end his career.
Davenport was a first-round selection by the New Orleans Saints in the 2018 NFL Draft. He spent five seasons with the Saints before brief stints with the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions. He signed with the Bears earlier this year, reuniting with defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, who previously held the same role in New Orleans.
His time in Chicago proved to be very short, concluding just 12 snaps into his tenure with the team. Over his NFL career, which spanned more than eight seasons, Davenport appeared in 78 regular-season games, making 43 starts and accumulating 25 sacks. However, he had seen limited playing time since departing New Orleans after the 2022 season, starting only 11 games during his time with the Vikings, Lions, and Bears.