Bears player suddenly retires a day after playing his final game

Marcus Davenport. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Bears player suddenly retires a day after playing his final game

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Renzo Pocholo Salao | Last updated Oct 6, 2026 8:33 AM ET

Chicago Bears veteran Marcus Davenport is retiring at age 30.

The 6-foot-6 defensive end is reportedly retiring after nine seasons in the NFL. According to NFL reporter Ian Rapoport, Davenport asked to be released after playing in the Bears’ game on Sunday against the New York Jets at Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill.

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. https://t.co/B0L8sYKH0m
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 6, 2026

Davenport recorded just one tackle in Chicago’s 23-12 victory. He did not play in the Bears’ first three games of the season. The New Orleans Saints picked Davenport in the first round of the 2018 draft. The UTSA alum played out his entire rookie contract with the Saints, tallying 21.5 sacks across five seasons.

The rest of Davenport’s career was riddled with injuries. He played 14 total games across three seasons with the Minnesota Vikings and the Detroit Lions from 2023 to 2025, recording just 3.5 sacks and 23 tackles during that span. Davenport even had to have his left pinkie finger partially amputated to fix an issue that had been plaguing him since college.

More must-reads: