Mike Davis (RB) - Pro Football Rumors

RB Mike Davis Retires

February 19th, 2024 at 2:37pm CST by Adam La Rose

Mike Davis enjoyed an eight-year stint in the NFL, but the veteran running back will not make another run at finding an opportunity ahead of the 2024 season. Davis announced on Monday that he has retired.

The news comes on Davis’ 31st birthday, and it confirms he will hang up his cleats after a full season out of the league. His most recent game action came with the Ravens, who signed him in May 2022. Baltimore moved on in December of that year, and no teams provided an opportunity during the 2023 campaign.

Davis entered the league in 2015 with the 49ers, though he only spent two years with the team. Another two-year run ensued during his tenure in Seattle. It was with the Seahawks in 2018 that Davis first received over 100 carries and put up notable production (514 yards, four touchdowns). Those totals did not prevent the former fourth-rounder from bouncing around the league, however; Davis went on to play for the Bears, Panthers, Falcons and Ravens over the course of his career.

The 2020 season was comfortably the most productive of Davis’ career. He topped 1,000 scrimmage yards and scored eight total touchdowns, helping maintain his free agent value. The end of his two-year, $6MM Panthers contract lined up an intra-divisional move to Atlanta on a $5.5MM pact of the same length. A stint as the Falcons’ lead back did not produce the desired results, though, and Davis was let go after only one season.

The South Carolina alum played a total of 87 NFL games, as well as a single postseason appearance with Seattle. In all, Davis totaled roughly $13.3MM in career earnings. His attention will now turn to his post-playing days, but he used his retirement announcement to reflect positively on his career.

“As I turn 31 today, I sit back and look on my NFL career and how thankful I am to be a part of a brotherhood,” Davis said on social media. “This game has allowed me to make a lot of friends and memories. I’m grateful for every organization in [the] NFL.”

Ravens Waive RB Mike Davis

December 10th, 2022 at 10:15am CST by Ben Levine

Mike Davis‘ short stint with the Ravens has come to an end. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports (via Twitter) that Baltimore is waiving the veteran RB. Earlier today, Davis seemed to hint on Twitter that this move was coming.

The journeyman RB joined the Ravens this past offseason. Despite a number of injuries in Baltimore’s backfield, Davis didn’t see a significant role during his time with the organization. He ultimately got into eight games, collecting 22 yards from scrimmage on 10 carries. The 29-year-old garnered only four offensive snaps since the start of November.

While Davis didn’t do much in Baltimore, there’s still a chance another squad gives him an opportunity. The RB is only two years removed from a 2020 campaign where he topped 1,000 yards from scrimmage and scored eight touchdowns for the Panthers. Davis has also developed into a capable pass-catcher in recent years; after hauling in 66 receptions through his first five seasons in the NFL, Davis had 103 receptions in 32 games with Carolina and Atlanta between 2020 and 2021.

Today’s move is expected to pave the way for the activation of running back J.K. Dobbins from injured reserve. After missing the entire 2021 season with a torn ACL, Dobbins has been limited to only four games this year while dealing with knee issues. The Ravens have had to lean on Kenyan Drake as a starter this year, but the RB room will be a bit more crowded with Dobbins and Gus Edwards healthy. The Ravens are also rostering RB Justice Hill.

Ravens Notes: Biegel, Linderbaum, Ojabo, Roster Bubble

August 4th, 2022 at 7:10pm CST by Ben Levine

Vince Biegel‘s season has ended before it even started. The Ravens linebacker suffered a torn Achilles on Thursday and will miss the 2022 season, per the team’s website.

The linebacker has bounced around the NFL during his four years in the league, spending time with the Packers, Saints, and Dolphins. Following a 2020 season where he compiled 59 tackles and 2.5 sacks in a career-high 15 games (10 starts) with the Dolphins, he was limited to only two tackles in five contests with Miami in 2021. He caught on with the Ravens this offseason, and according to Ryan Mink of the team website, Biegel had made a strong impression during the first few days of camp.

“Vince was fighting to make the team,” coach John Harbaugh said. “He would have had a great chance to make it, because he’s just a solid, tough, talented guy who does everything exactly right as hard as he can.”

The Ravens were already eyeing a depleted linebackers depth chart with Tyus Bowser and David Ojabo sidelined. The team’s current options consist of Odafe Oweh, Justin Houston, Daelin Hayes, Steven Means, and a handful of rookies.

More notes out of Baltimore:

Fortunately, there was some good news on the Ravens’ injury front. While first-round rookie center Tyler Linderbaum limped off the field during practice, an X-ray confirmed he avoided a major injury. “He’s going to be fine,” Harbaugh said (via Mink). “Didn’t get stepped on, kind of just … It’s a physical drill there, and [he] came up a little sore. They’ve looked at it, X-rayed it. They’ll do an MRI on it to make sure, but all indications are it’s nothing serious at all.” Beside the rookie, the Ravens have veteran Patrick Mekari to step in at center.
We previously heard that Ojabo’s brief holdout was an attempt to get more guaranteed money in the third year of his rookie contract. According to ESPN’s Field Yates (on Twitter), the rookie ended up getting $700K of that 2024 base salary guaranteed. As our own Ely Allen previously pointed out, the player selected just before Ojabo at 44th overall is John Metchie III, who received $800,000 (55.61%) of his third year guaranteed. The pick immediately after Ojabo at 46th overall is Joshua Paschal, whose guaranteed third-year money dropped dramatically to $275,000 (22.02%).
Guard Ben Powers could find himself on the trade block depending on the status of Ben Cleveland and Tyre Phillips, writes Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic. Powers has 19 career starts, so he’d surely appeal to a squad seeking some guard depth. Meanwhile, Zrebiec writes that running back Mike Davis could be fighting with Tyler Badie and Justice Hill for two open roster spots. The veteran was brought in this offseason to provide some depth while J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards return to full health, but he may not be needed if the duo is ready for the start of the season.
In a stock report of Baltimore’s minicamp, Zrebiec provides a handful of interesting tidbits related to the Ravens. Fourth-round rookie Isaiah Likely will find himself behind Mark Andrews on the depth chart, but he also “seems close to certain to have a notable Week 1 role with the Ravens.” Meanwhile, versatile defensive back Brandon Stephens has been preparing to play cornerback after starting 11 games at safety last season.
The Ravens’ other fourth-round rookie tight end, Charlie Kolar, had sports hernia surgery earlier this week, per Zrebiec. “It’s a thing that was lingering from college,” Harbaugh said. “He actually had a sports hernia from college, had a surgery. They’re going to redo that one as well. We’ll get it cleaned up now. I think he felt like he could manage it, but it’s gotten to the point where it needs to be fixed.”

Contract Details: Addison, Michel, Chargers

May 11th, 2022 at 10:10pm CST by Ben Levine

We’ve compiled some updated numbers on recent NFL signings:

Mario Addison, DE (Texans): two-year deal. Contract has a $7.7MM base value, including a $2MM signing bonus, per ESPN’s Field Yates on Twitter.
Bryce Callahan, CB (Chargers): signed. It’s a one-year deal worth $1.27MM, according to Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com (via Twitter). The deal has a cap hit of $1.04MM thanks to the veteran salary benefit. Callahan will earn a base salary of $1.12MM and a signing bonus worth $152.5K.
Mike Davis, RB (Ravens): signed. It’s a one-year deal for the veteran running back, per Yates (on Twitter). The deal is worth a bit more than $1.20MM, meaning Davis’s cap hit will qualify for the veteran salary benefit contract.
Tyrann Mathieu, CB (Saints): three-year, $33MM deal ($18MM guaranteed). The deal features a $9.5MM signing bonus and fully guaranteed base salaries in 2022 and 2023. The contract is effectively a three-year pact worth $27MM, with $18MM guaranteed and $2MM in yearly bonuses (via Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com).
Sony Michel, RB (Dolphins): one-year, $2.1MM deal. The contract includes a $1.75MM base value, including a $350K signing bonus (per Yates on Twitter).
E.J. Perry, QB (Jaguars): signed. The UDFA received $230K in guaranteed money from Jacksonville, including a $23K signing bonus and a guaranteed $207K salary, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero (on Twitter).
Kyle Van Noy, LB (Chargers): one-year deal. The contract’s base value and cap hit are worth $2.25MM. Includes $1.5MM base salary and $750K signing bonus, per Yates on Twitter.

Ravens To Sign Mike Davis

May 10th, 2022 at 10:00am CST by Adam La Rose

Mike Davis has found his next NFL home. The veteran running back is signing with the Ravens, as first reported by Jordan Schultz and confirmed by Pro Football Network’s Aaron Wilson (Twitter link).

[RELATED: Ravens Eyeing Landry]

The 29-year-old was released last week by the Falcons. There had been optimism surrounding his arrival with his hometown team, but he ended up producing similar numbers to his career averages. He appeared in all 17 games, but only started eight, totalling 762 scrimmage yards while scoring four touchdowns. The team leaned more heavily on Cordarrelle Patterson and has since added Damien Williams in free agency and Tyler Allgeier during the draft.

While 2021 didn’t go according to plan for Davis, he is one year removed from the best season of his career, which came with the Panthers. Filling in for Christian McCaffrey, he became the team’s lead back and started 12 of 15 games. He rushed for 642 yards and six touchdowns, but was a key piece to the team’s passing game as well. He totalled 373 yards and a pair of scores through the air, earning him the two-year deal from the Falcons which was terminated this offseason.

In Baltimore, Davis will join a crowded running backs room. The team is set to have each of its top three options from last season – J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards and Justice Hill – return after they all missed the entire 2021 campaign due to injuries. They also drafted Tyler Badie in the sixth round of the draft, so while Davis is the most experienced player in the group, he is likely going to compete for no more than a depth role.

Falcons To Release Mike Davis

May 2nd, 2022 at 10:54am CST by Adam La Rose

The Falcons are moving on from veteran running back Mike Davis. ESPN’s Michael Rothstein confirmed (on Twitter) Jordan Schultz’s original report that Atlanta is releasing him.

Davis, 29, signed a two-year deal last offseason. That marked a homecoming for him, and the only multi-year contract the team handed out at the time. There was plenty of optimism for the journeyman to take on the starter’s role, given his impressive 2020 campaign in Carolina.

Filling in for the injured Christian McCaffrey, Davis found success as the Panthers’ No. 1 back that year. He rushed for 642 yards and six touchdowns, adding 373 yards and another two scores in the passing game. He was expected to carry a large workload in Atlanta, but his performance was more in line with his career averages. The South Carolina alum totalled 762 scrimmage yards and four total touchdowns, staring only eight of 17 games.

The reason for his reduced role, of course, was the emergence of Cordarrelle Patterson as the Falcons’ lead back. His production both on the ground and in the air – not to mention the lack of guaranteed money on the second year of Davis’ deal – opened the door to this move being made.

By releasing Davis, the Falcons will save $2.5MM in cap space. He will look to catch on with what could be his sixth different team in the NFL. Atlanta, meanwhile, will move forward with Patterson, free agent signing Damien Williams and fifth-round rookie Tyler Allgeier in their backfield.

Falcons To Sign Mike Davis

March 23rd, 2021 at 9:18am CST by Zachary Links

The Falcons are set to sign running back Mike Davis to a two-year contract, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). The former Falcons running back will earn $5.5MM in the deal with $3MM fully guaranteed in the first year.

Davis filled-in for Christian McCaffrey last year and turned in a solid year with 1,015 all-purpose yards and eight total touchdowns. Even though his averages of 3.9 yards per carry and 6.3 yards per grab weren’t quite CMC numbers, Davis demonstrated his value as a reliable and durable veteran.

Before that, the 28-year-old joined the Panthers as a waiver wire claim. Although he’s bounced around, Davis isn’t just a one-hit wonder. He averaged 4.6 yards per carry with the Seahawks in 2018 to go along with four rushing touchdowns.

Now, Davis will stay in the division as he joins Ito Smith and Qadree Ollison on Atlanta’s RB depth chart.

Panthers Claim RB Mike Davis

November 11th, 2019 at 3:18pm CST by Sam Robinson

For a second straight Monday, the Panthers claimed a notable skill-position talent on waivers. They were awarded running back Mike Davis, whom the Bears waived on Saturday, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.

Davis did not see much time with the Bears but may have a clearer role with the Panthers. It would make sense for Carolina to give usage dynamo Christian McCaffrey some rest. Davis functioned as a change-of-pace Seahawks back last season.

McCaffrey’s 233 touches sit second in the league, though Dalvin Cook has accumulated his NFL-leading 243 in one extra game. The Panthers had C.J. Anderson on their 2018 roster to serve as a McCaffrey complement, but the team did not use the veteran much and cut him midway through the season. This season, the Panthers have given McCaffrey 185 carries. He logged 219 throughout last season. Backup running back Reggie Bonnafon has taken just 11 handoffs this year.

Considering Chicago gave Davis just 18 touches this season, he should be fresh to spell McCaffrey. Davis, 26, averaged 4.6 yards per carry with the Seahawks last season. Operating as Chris Carson‘s backup, Davis posted 728 scrimmage yards and five touchdowns. Last season marked Davis’ first steady backfield work; he spent the 2015-17 seasons not factoring in significantly in San Francisco or Seattle’s ball-carrying plans.

This move comes a week after the Panthers claimed ex-Steelers wideout Donte Moncrief. Both Moncrief and Davis were cut in order to balance out the Steelers’ and Bears’ compensatory-pick formulas, respectively.

Bears Waive RB Mike Davis

November 9th, 2019 at 8:23am CST by Ben Levine

Mike Davis‘ short tenure with the Bears has already come to an end. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that the Bears have cut the veteran running back.

Following a 2018 campaign that saw Davis compiling a career-high 514 rushing yards with the Seahawks, Davis inked a two-year, $6MM deal with the Bears this past offseason. There was hope that he’d platoon with third-rounder David Montgomery, and the Bears even dealt Jordan Howard to accommodate the two new additions. Instead, the rookie has received the majority of the carries on offense (Montgomery has 121 of the team’s 181 rushes).

Davis has also fallen behind pass-catcher Tarik Cohen, leaving him with a minor role. In seven games (one start) this season, the 28-year-old Davis has 11 carries for 25 yards and seven receptions for 22 yards. He’ll be subject to waivers, and while he hasn’t had a chance to shine in 2019, a team will surely take a chance on him based off his 2018 performance. Meanwhile, the Bears will presumably add another running back to pair with Montgomery and Cohen, with practice squad backs Ryan Nall and Kerrith Whyte Jr. potentially being options.

While today’s move was partly performance-based, Rapoport notes that the front office was also motivated by the compensatory pick formula. This transaction will “helps them get a comp pick,” according to Rapoport.

Bears HC Discusses RBs, Davis, Patterson

March 30th, 2019 at 12:16pm CST by Ben Levine

The Bears moved on from running back Jordan Howard earlier this week, and the position is now a “major need,” according to Adam L. Jahns of the Chicago Sun Times.

Tarik Cohen did break out in 2018, tallying 1,169 yards from scrimmage and eight total offensive touchdowns. Still, the 23-year-old has proved to be more of a threat in the passing game than the running game. Meanwhile, free agent addition Mike Davis impressed in limited work with Seattle in 2018, averaging 4.6 yards per carry and tallying 34 receptions. However, there’s no guarantee that the veteran can carry the running-side of the platoon.

As a result, the team is focusing on the draft to add a running back. The team doesn’t have their first selection until the third round, but the Bears should have plenty of opportunities to add a weapon to their offense; as Jahns writes, there are plenty of intriguing mid-round running backs in this year’s draft.

Head coach Matt Nagy recently talked with Jahns about the team’s plans for the position, including draft prospects and their free agent additions. We’ve compiled some of the notable soundbites below:

On the running back prospects in the upcoming draft:

“Any coach will tell you there’s a nice group of backs. They all kind of have their unique style. So some of them, they might not have the home-run speed, but he can run you over. This guy might have average hands, but he’s really great between the tackles. They’re all a little different.

“It comes down to, teams that are looking at running backs, what flavor do you like? What kind of ice cream do you like? And then, when you get in the draft, where are they going to be at?”

On how the team evaluates these running back prospects:

“It’s hard to evaluate a lot of guys on tape and get a good feel for them. You try to as much as you can, but to be able to go there and see guys is great. We’ve done it with the quarterback position in years past, and it helps you out a lot.”

On the addition of Davis, who signed a two-year, $6MM contract earlier this month:

“We thought that would be a good addition to our side of the ball on offense. We’re intrigued to get him in and start learning who he is as a person…From all the research we did on him, we thought [Davis] was a great fit.”

On wideout/return man/occasional running back Cordarrelle Patterson, who signed a two-year, $10MM contract:

“We saw a role for him. You see what he did in New England with the jet sweeps, the [end] arounds [and] the screens, and I think that that’s a good fit for him. But for me, it’s kind of like a kid in a candy store.”