Jets pull off unthinkable Demario Davis homecoming with efficient free agency move

The New York Jets have had very few Hall of Fame level players who suited up with Gang Green for a good chunk of their careers, but linebacker Demario Davis is one of those players. After some very good seasons in New York, Davis was sent to the Cleveland Browns and eventually made his way to the New Orleans Saints.

With the Saints, Davis blossomed into a regular All-Pro who has a case for Canton. With Aaron Glenn in need of both inside linebacker help and a veteran leader who can help develop one of the youngest teams in the league, the Jets decided to give Davis the homecoming he deserves.

The Jets plan to sign Davis to a two-year, $22 million contract. Despite the fact that he is 37 years old, Davis remains a high-level linebacker who is just a few years removed from being an All-Pro in New Orleans and is still a quality starter at the position.

The Jets have put their money where their mouth is and spent some serious cash in the first few hours of free agency. In addition to this contract, the Jets agreed to a three-year, $36 million contract with former Cincinnati Bengals edge Joseph Ossai and a one-year, $10 million deal with Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Kingsley Enagbare.

Jets reunite with Demario Davis on two-year contract

The Jets had been sniffing around veteran linebackers like Alex Anzalone, who recently signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Davis was considered a bit of a long shot, but the Jets managed to get their guy without paying an outrageous fee to acquire him.

Not only was Davis ranked as Pro Football Focus' sixth-best linebacker last season, but he ranked seventh in run defense and 13th in coverage. Alongside Jamien Sherwood and expected No. 2 overall pick Arvell Reese, Davis could be a supercharger who improves many along this new-look Jets defense.

Davis, who was a third-round pick of the Jets in 2012 out of Arkansas State, played five of his first six seasons in the NFL with the Jets, recording 483 tackles, 11.5 sacks, and an interception. With the Saints, Davis was named a First Team All-Pro performer once before making four consecutive second-team nods.

As Bon Jovi once asked, "Who says you can't go home?" Nearly a decade after the Jets foolishly parted ways with him, Davis is coming back to give Glenn the veteran boost he needs while ushering in a new generation of Jets who can try to get this team back on track.