Chicago Bears Release Kellen Davis

Dec. 23, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA: Chicago Bears tight end Kellen Davis (87) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Bears defeated the Cardinals 28-13. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Bears made waves on the first day of free agency by signing former New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys tight end Martellus Bennett. And if you sign Martellus Bennett, it’s probably because your tired of your current tight end.

So it comes with little shock that the Chicago Bears have released Kellen Davis. Davis signed a 2 year deals worth $6.5 million last March but never lived up to expectations this past season. By dumping him they save $2.5 million against the cap.

He was targeted 44 times last season, his second as “the man” after Greg Olson went to the Carolina Panthers in 2010. This past season though he dropped 8 of those 44 targets. He caught 19 passes for 229 yards and 2 touchdowns last season. In reality it wasn’t much different than his 2011 campaign where he caught 18 passes for 206 yards, but a more impressive 5 touchdowns.

Martellus Bennett wouldn’t want you to use his stats from Dallas as a measuring stick of his abilities. He always felt underutilized and appreciated in Dallas as the second weapon behind Jason Witten.

His numbers in Dallas were very Kellen Davis like.

But when he came to New York it really allowed him to show off more of his abilities. He caught 55 passes for 626 yards and 5 touchdowns. Those almost matched his career totals as a Dallas Cowboy.