Corey Davis considered potential NY Jets return last season

Corey Davis' stunning retirement in August of last year sent shockwaves throughout the NY Jets organization and forced the team to reconsider their plans for the wide receiver position last season.

As it turns out, the Jets really could've used Davis in 2023. The Allen Lazard and Mecole Hardman signings proved to be complete busts, with the latter catching just one pass with the team before he was shipped back to Kansas City.

With Lazard serving as a healthy scratch on multiple occasions, the Jets instead leaned on players like Randall Cobb and a host of undrafted free agents to fill the void opposite Garrett Wilson. The results were disastrous.

The Jets are expected to revamp their wide receiver room again this offseason, and there's at least an outside chance their plans could involve Davis. Yes, a Corey Davis return hasn't been ruled out.

Corey Davis could still return to the NY Jets in 2024

SNY's Connor Hughes made an appearance on The Jake Asman Show at the NFL Combine, and he revealed that Davis and the Jets were actually in contact about a potential return last season.

While Hughes insisted that talks never progressed to the point where Davis was working out for the Jets again, he believes that the veteran receiver would've seriously considered a return had the Jets made the postseason.

Hughes went on to say that the door is still open for Davis to return if he wants to and that the Jets would welcome him back with open arms. The implication is that Davis hasn't fully walked away from the game just yet.

This doesn't mean that Davis will actually return, but it does mean that he considered it as recently as a few months ago. That's certainly good news for a Jets team that's desperate for wide receiver help this offseason.

Davis had an up-and-down first season with the Jets in 2021, posting a whopping five drops in just nine games. He was significantly more effective in a reduced role in 2022, finishing the year with 32 catches for 536 yards in 13 games.

Davis wouldn't be the high-profile wide receiver addition the Jets are likely looking for, but he would be a sizable upgrade over every player in that receiver room not named Garrett Wilson.

The former Titans first-round pick was one of the most respected veteran leaders in the Jets' locker room prior to his departure. It's safe to say that his return would help the Jets out on and off the field.

The door is not shut on a Corey Davis return just yet. Don't be surprised if the 29-year-old makes his triumphant return to the Jets this offseason after a year away from the game.