The New York Jets have finalized a two-year contract worth $22 million with linebacker Demario Davis, according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero. The agreement includes $15 million guaranteed, marking a significant reunion as Davis will reunite with head coach Aaron Glenn, who previously coached him with the New Orleans Saints.
Davis Returns to the Team That Drafted Him
Demario Davis, now 37 years old, originally began his NFL career after being selected by the Jets in the third round of the 2012 draft. He played with New York for four seasons before moving on to the Cleveland Browns in 2016, where he signed a two-year, $8 million contract that had $4.2 million guaranteed. His NFL journey has brought him back to where it all started.
Career Moves and Contracts Leading to Latest Deal
In 2017, the Browns traded Davis back to the Jets in exchange for safety Calvin Pryor. A year later, Davis secured a three-year deal worth $24 million with the Saints, embarking on a successful tenure there. By 2020, he signed another contract with New Orleans, a three-year agreement valued at $27 million with $18.35 million guaranteed. Ahead of the 2024 season, the Saints restructured his contract, and he agreed to a two-year, $17 million deal with them before making the move back to the Jets.
Recent Performance and Impact on the Field
During the 2025 season, Davis played in all 17 games for the Saints, delivering impressive statistics including 143 total tackles, six tackles for loss, half a sack, three passes defended, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery. His consistent production highlights his ongoing value as a linebacker despite his veteran status.
Significance of Davis’ Return to New York
Demario Davis’ return to the Jets not only reinforces the team’s linebacker corps with a proven veteran but also reunites him with Aaron Glenn, providing a familiar coaching relationship that could enhance his performance. The Jets likely anticipate that Davis’ experience and leadership will bolster their defense as they move forward in upcoming seasons.
Reunion: Veteran LB Demario Davis is signing with the Jets on a two-year, $22 million deal that includes $15M fully guaranteed, sources say.
This will Year 15 for Davis, who just turned 37. Tommy Condon of @CAA_Football negotiated the deal. pic.twitter.com/1n2Hy1zrY1
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 9, 2026
